Spitting Bullets

Chapter 24

"Thanks for meeting me," lightly smiled Antonio as they sat down in the conference.

"Yep," Nicole sighed, "What's up?"

"I just...I want to apologize for everything that happened. I treated you...well like shit. I know there's no way to make that up to you, but I want you to know I'm truly sorry."

"Thank you Antonio. I appreciate that."

"So...you and Matt?"

"Yep. We just eloped in Vegas a few days ago."

"He makes you happy?"

"He does. He's so loving and treats the kids like they're his own. He's an amazing father to Bella and I'm just so lucky to have him in my life."

"I'm sure he is. I'm glad you're happy. But I'm not going to lie, changing Bella's last name hurt me a little bit."

"Antonio, you will always be Isabella's biological father, I can't change that, but Matt is her father. She calls him daddy, he's the only real male figure Bella's ever had."

"I know I wasn't good to you to but...she's still my daughter Nicole."

"No, she's not! You weren't even there when she was born! You missed the first few weeks of her life because you were in rehab! And just when she was beginning to get to know you, you relapsed and destroyed our home. Because of you, I had to uproot my kids and I to Matt's apartment which of course now I'm grateful for, but back then...I wanted to murder you."

"Nicole... I just want to see her before I go."

"Are you kidding me?!" she snapped, "You broke my heart, treated me like shit, and abandoned me with my two kids, one of those kids being your daughter. You weren't man enough to be in her life then and you damn well don't get to be in her life now! Hate me all you want, but that's my decision. You don't get to just come in and out of her life whenever you want. Hell, you couldn't even call for her birthday or send a lousy card. Legally, you have no rights. Matt legally adopted her a month ago. You gave her up Antonio...you can't just take her back now."

"You're making a mistake because you're too damn selfish!"

"Get the hell out. Now."

Antonio slammed his chair back before storming out of the conference room. He passed by everyone and headed down the steps. Nicole took a deep breath and wiped away her tears before heading back into the bullpen. The room was silent as she entered.

"You okay?" asked Jay as he walked over and hugged her, "That sounded pretty brutal."

"You heard?"

"Your voice carries when you're pissed."

Nicole chuckled as she let Jay embrace her for a moment or two. When she was ready, she separated herself and looked at her best friend.

"I made the right decision, right?"

"I can't decide that for you, but I will say your points were valid. I'm sorry you have to deal with that. Antonio used to be like a brother to me...it's a shame to see how the drugs have changed him for good."

"Yeah. His no where near the man I fell in love with three years ago."

***

That night Nicole came home, physically and mentally drained. They had caught a case and stayed late working on it. By the time she got him, Matt had already fed, bathed, and put Bella to sleep. Nicole changed into sweats and one of Matt's t-shirts before collapsing beside him on the couch. He handed her a glass of red wine and pressed a kiss to her temple.

"So, how did your talk with Antonio go?" asked Matt to which Nicole replied with a groan, "Uh oh."

"It started out civil enough. He apologized and asked about us and the kids. Then I realized he was just setting me up to think he had changed. He wanted to see Bella."

"Really? Wow. What did you say to that?"

"I said no! After he hurt me the second time, he left and I never got to get my feelings out and today... I did. I just snapped. I went off on him about everything he did to me, Bella, and Noah. I told him he was never really her father and how you adopted her."

"Sounds like my girl went off."

"Oh I did. I finally said all the things I wanted to say to his face after he ran off. But I can't help but slightly doubt my decision. Am I being selfish and taking something away from Bella by not letting him see her?"

"Nic, you know I can't answer that for you. But I will say, I have known you for a long time now. You have always put your kids' wellbeing before your own. You're an amazing mom and if your gut tells you that Antonio seeing Bella is a bad idea, then you're probably right."

Nicole smiled at Matt, completely in love, "You are the most amazing husband in the world."

"I try," he chuckled, making her laugh.

"I love you, you know that?"

"Luckily I do. And I love you too."

***

The next day Gabby and Antonio headed back to Puerto Rico. They said farewell to everyone at 51 before leaving. Everything would be able to return back to normal. Nicole sat with Kim, Hailey, and Jay at Molly's to have a drink and relax.

"So, that was an eventful few days," chuckled Hailey.

"Oh yeah," sighed Jay with a slight laugh, "Nic got married and the Dawson siblings returned all in the same week."

"To be completely honest, I'm kind of happy they showed up."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I mean I never got closure since Antonio just up and left. Being able to talk to him the other day...I finally got that and it gives me a kind of sense of relief. Like I can officially start my new life with Matt."

"That's good. So everything worked out."

"Yeah, I guess it did."