Sequel to Dear Nick. This story continues where Dear Nick left off, in the epilogue. If you haven't read Dear Nick, read it to see how they began. Their love is deep & pure, having been perfect since they finally got on the same page. Now, their per...
Tracy & Nick were staring at each other, my tiny son between them as he laid, sleeping, in his grandmother's arms. "What's wrong with the name Evan?" Nick finally asked, scowling at his mother.
Tracy looked down at Evan, then I saw her eyes fill with tears, confusing me even more. She was just about to speak, when a nurse came in. She smiled, looking uncomfortable, since there was clear tension between Tracy & Nick. "Sorry to interrupt. I need to take him to the nursery. We need to update his vitals & I'm going to make sure he eats & gets a bath. The next shift nurse will bring him back in a little while." The nurse said, in a perky voice, almost making me laugh.
Tracy kept staring at Evan, so Nick took her from his mom & laid him back down in his bassinet. "Sorry. Here you go." Nick said to the nurse as he pushed the small bed toward her. She nodded, then left the room with Evan. I was grateful she took him, even if I was already missing him. Nick put his hands on his hips, as he glared at his mom. "Well? What's your problem with the name Evan, Mom? Why are you so upset, right now?" Nick asked, his voice louder than it had been.
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Tracy looked up at him, tears falling down her cheeks. I felt bad for her, suddenly & wished I could move faster. I wanted to get up & hug her, oddly enough. Never before, had I felt sorry for Tracy Jonas. She was always someone I despised, but over the last few years, she's stepped up & been a decent mother to Nick. She's managed to stay clean & be the kind of mother he has needed since he was a little kid. I respected her now & I'd even had conversations over the last few years that made me understand her a little better. She opened up to me a few times about what happened to her when Nick was a small boy. I had a feeling, now, as I watched her cry, that she may have left something out.
I watched Tracy walk past Nick to the window, wiping her tears, as she did. She sighed, deeply, as she looked out the window, seeming like she was trying to figure out where to start. "Where did you get the name Evan?" She asked, in a quiet voice.
Nick shrugged his shoulders, even if his mom couldn't see it. "I don't know. I've always liked the name since... as long as I can remember. I can't even explain it. I just had a soft spot for the name. Why? What's with the name, Mom?" Nick was calming down a little & he walked so he was closer to Tracy.
"That was the name of your baby brother." Tracy said, in a whisper, turning to look at Nick. "You were almost four, when I had him. You probably don't remember it, because you were so young & he only lived for a week. He died of SIDS, but I blamed myself. I thought it was something I had done. I thought he died because I did something wrong. That's why I started using, Nick. That's why I kept using. The drugs & alcohol helped deal with that pain of losing Evan." Tracy turned her body to face me & Nick, her eyes falling on me. "I'm sorry, Demi. I didn't mean to sound like a bitch, when I first heard his name. It just hit me hard & I wasn't expecting it. It's a wonderful name." Tracy said, then let out a quiet sob. Nick went to his mom, putting his arms around her, to comfort her.
