In The End (Sequel to In Real Life - Nemi)

It's Not Too Late (Demi's POV)

As I sat on the bed, facing Nick, I couldn't help but to go back to that day I was dressed as Mrs. Potato Man, when Nick saw Wilmer dressed in a matching costume & he stormed out of my apartment. That was when it all started. That was when my lie was born.

*Flashback*

"Think he'll ever give up?" Wilmer asked me after I had slammed the door shut behind Nick. I shook my head, shrugged my shoulders & walked toward the bedroom to finish getting ready. "Well, then. Maybe it's time he learned the truth." He said in a low voice as I walked passed him.

I turned around & saw the sly smile on his lips, that I trusted. "What do you mean? What truth?"

"As long as he thinks you're pregnant with his baby, he's not going to give up. So tell him that he's not the baby's father." Wilmer suggested, walking to me.

I let out a laugh. "I can't tell him that. How would I explain why I lied?"

"I know it's desperate, but you can tell him that we had sex before you left for Africa & tell him that you had an ultrasound that changed your due date to 2 weeks earlier. Happened with my sister. So she was farther along than they thought." Wilmer shrugged his shoulders. "You're an amazing actress, so you can convince him." Wilmer gave me a warm smile.

"I can't do that to him." I rolled my eyes & turned to walk to my bedroom. I didn't bring up the subject again until a week later, when I actually did end up telling Nick exactly what Wilmer suggested.

Wilmer came to see me that evening after I shattered Nick's heart. I was sobbing when I answered the door & I explained everything to him. "I can't believe you actually told him. He believed you?" Wilmer asked.

"I didn't think he would. I didn't think I'd actually do it but he wasn't giving up & then he was talking about fighting for custody & I just lost it." I cried. "I can't keep this going, though. I feel so guilty. I'm going to go see him in the morning & tell him the truth." I said with certainty.

That next morning, I let myself into Nick's house & was faced with heartache the moment I walked inside. I saw Nick's shirt thrown on the floor nearby, his shoes haphazardly on the foyer floor. My heart sank when I saw the red dress in a heap on the floor & black high heels nearby. I knew the dress was Olivia's. I had seen photos online the night before that she had posted during the party that their co-star had thrown. I recognized the color & the shoes. I felt sick, then even sicker when I heard their voices & looked up to see them both walking down the staircase. Nick was in pajama bottoms & Olivia was wearing one of Nick's dress shirts & that was it. I froze when Nick's eyes met mine, then I got out of there as quick as I could.

*End Flashback*

Nick was waiting, patiently, for me to speak as we faced each other on the bed. I looked at his face & the tears came. He looked worried & scared, with a smidge of hopeful. "I'm sorry. I lied to you & when I went to tell you the truth, that's when I walked in on you & Olivia looking like you had just had sex." I watched Nick's face as his brow furrowed. "I was going to tell you the truth after our divorce was final. I wasn't going to let you think that this baby wasn't yours. I wasn't going to keep your daughter from you, please know that." I was pleading with Nick as the tears came flowing from my eyes. "Yes, it's your daughter. You were right. I lied. Wilmer & I never had sex."

Nick's mouth twitched with the hint of a smile as he moved closer to me & put one hand on my belly. "I know how bad I hurt you, so I don't blame you for wanting to hurt me in return or needing to get me out of your life. Don't think anything more about it. Let's move on from this. I forgive you & hope you can forgive me for all the pain I caused you." His hand rubbed my belly, softly & I felt my heart melting.