Best Night Ever...The Aftermath

*Teaser* - London Town

Man I've missed this place! I absolutely loved London and everything about it, including my Kensington apartment. I had fought hard in the divorce to keep this place but hadn't been here since the divorce was final. Bruno and I had been here for three days while my company was trying to close a big deal and expand our business. Business was done but Bruno and I were staying in town for a few more days to relax. Philip and Nikki were coming into town later tonight and would be staying with us in my apartment. The spacious three bedroom flat was amazing. We bought the property as an investment yes, but typically, I came to London a few times a year and wanted to do so in the comforts of my own space. We did a lot of work and upgrades in the place so I knew it would sale, but I fought to keep it. In the end, my ex-husband and I sold our house in Hartford and split the profit and both purchased separate condos. His legal team wanted to do the same with this place and our vacation house in the Hamptons. I hated the Hamptons, too stuck up for me, but he loved it so he kept that place and I got this one. The first thing I did before Bruno and I arrived was put a new bed in the master suite. I just didn't want to sleep in the same bed with Bruno as I did with Joshua. No, thank you.

Bruno and I sat at dinner with Philip and Nikki after a day of site seeing and drinks and conversation were flowing. "So listen, you ladies won't be upset if we left you to work a little tomorrow would you", Philip asked. "Well I saw a few shops I could definitely do some damage in and I know Candy is always down to shop so I don't mind", Nikki said. "Very true statement", I said clinking my wine glass to hers. "So what work are you getting into", I asked them. "Mark's in town so we figured we would get some time in the studio while we could", Bruno said. "Sounds good to me; and it sounds like I'm gonna spend too much money tomorrow", I laughed. "Cheers to that", Nikki said and we clinked glasses again. "Should I just hand over my credit card now?" Bruno said cautiously. "Probably", Phil laughed. "Alright let's do some shots", he said. "You always wanna do shots. I am not mixing liquor with this good wine", I protested. "Ok fine, another bottle then?" he suggested and proceeded to order another bottle added to the two we've already drank. I sipped my wine and cuddled up to Bruno and he draped his arm around my shoulder and ran his hand down my arm softly. Just the small touch made me look at him in admiration. Philip and Nikki exchanged whispers before Nikki looked up with a big smile on her face, earning a confused look from Bruno and me. "Ok, so we have news", Philip started, smiling down at Nikki. "Nicole and I are having a baby", he said excitedly. "What!" I shouted with excitement. "I thought you couldn't get pregnant or have kids", Bruno said confused to Nikki. "First off, stop calling me Nicole", she said to Phil. "Next, no, I can't carry or have a baby so we're using a segregate", she said. "It's been a long process, making the choice, the doctors, all of it, but we've decided it's what we want", Philip said squeezing Nikki's hand. "Awe, this makes me so fucking happy", I pouted. "Ok, so to a new baby then", Bruno said raising his glass and we all sipped in toast.

I fought with Bruno over his credit card before us girls left to shop for the day, him wanting me to use it, me not wanting me to take it. Finally, I just took it with a smile and said thank you, telling him he might regret the decision by the end of the day. Nikki and I spent the morning store hopping and card swiping. We took a break having a small lunch at a little café and opted to sit inside instead of out in the heat. "So, a baby?" I asked with a smile. "Yeah, that's the plan", she said quietly. "You don't sound too happy about it", I said. "It's not that, I am happy but it's a long process. I have to take hormones and we have to get eggs and so on and so on", she said. "It'll be worth it in the end though", I said picking through my salad. "We're still in a custody battle with my ex-husband for my kids and his kids are split between us and their mom, I think we just wanted something solid, you know", she said. "Mixed families can be hard, but you guys are managing and handling it all fine. Have you told the kids yet?" I asked. "No we're going to wait. We think they'll all be happy though", she said. We finished lunch decided to spend the rest of the day in Harrods. I told her it was an experience she couldn't leave London without having. "So, does this mean you two are going to set a date?" I asked her as we both worked through a pile of shoes. "Maybe, that's really ultimately up to Philip", she said. "Really?" I said, surprised. "Girl yes; anytime we've talked about it he keeps pushing it off", she said. "Really", I repeated. "Are you sure he wants to get married then", I asked her sincerely. "I questioned it, but he says he does. I guess he still has some trust issues with me. Truthfully, I'd rather wait until he's comfortable with everything than to go into a marriage where he still questions me", she said. "Well you two will figure it all out, I'm sure", I told her, mainly because I didn't know what else to say. I knew their relationship had been rocky and he never really wanted to talk about it in great detail before. I've never questioned her about it because well, let's face it; it's their relationship and none of my business. All I can do is continue to be a friend to them both because they have done the same for me.

By the time we were back in the car and our driver had started the short drive back to my apartment building we were both exhausted. "Girl Philip is gonna kick my ass over all the money I spent today!" she laughed. "He'll live! We did get a lot huh?" I said taking in the bags surrounding us. "That place is addicting, oh m God!" she said and I had to agree. We struggled juggling our bags in the door, laughing because we may have gone just a little overboard. Bruno and Philip were in the kitchen messing over what I assumed was dinner. "Umm, damn babe, am I maxed out", Bruno laughed when they came into the living room where we spread our days take. "Not quite, but I damn sure put a dent in it", I told him, handing him his credit card and he laughed. "Are you making dinner or just tearing up my kitchen?" I asked, stretching on the couch. "Dinner will be ready soon", he said sifting through my bag finding some lingerie and smirking. "Yes, I put your money to good use. What's for dinner, and please don't say spam of any variety", I asked. "Seafood linguine, I left the spam out! And don't let Phil make you think he cooked a damn thing, we got takeout from some place around the corner", he laughed. We laughed around the table, quickly consuming too much alcohol which seemed to be the norm when we were together. "Seriously, though, can I say how nice it is to be able to do shit like this? I mean when B was with Jess we could barely get her and Nikki in the same room, it's a nice change", Philip said before downing the rest of his drink. "That's because she was a dumb hoe, Candy is not", Nikki answered. "Be nice", I sang, laughing. "Says the woman who I had to pull off of her in Vegas", Bruno retorted. "Stop bringing up old shit", I told him. "Really though, nice upgrade B. Philip and I were just saying we don't know if we've seen you happier", she said making him smile.

I hated leaving London town. Part of the reason was I hated the long ass flight, but I really did love the place. We were flying into NYC where Phil and Nikki would be spending a few days and I needed to be in Hartford for work so Bruno and I were headed there. The trip was a total success. Things were looking good on the business end for KE and Bruno and I had some time together with my crazy work schedule. Having Philip and Nikki come out was good too. It was nice to have some couple mingling and since things with Tiana and Kameron were so up and down, I was glad there was still a couple we could hang with. I woke midway through the flight and I turned my phone back on to check for messages. "Damn", I said quietly as everyone was napping. I had missed calls from Tiana and both my brother and sister. I was starting to scan through text messages when my phone vibrated with a call. I got up and went to the back of the plane and sat gazing out of the window and answered. "Carmen, hey I'm in the air, we've still got about three hours until we land. Is everything ok, is the baby good, y'all blowing up my phone", I said quietly. "I'm at the hospital Candy you need to come home".

To be continued...