Page 19 of Nico
"I am and believe me, you're going to need it. Sit darling."
The housekeeper came into the room with a loaded tray as if on cue.
"It's fine, Henry, I'll pour." She glanced over at Brigette. "Ms. Jackson, I suggest you let the housekeeper take the child into one of the rooms where she can sleep without interruption." Without waiting for the woman's assent, she gestured to Henrietta who crossed to Brigette and held her arms out.
"I'll have one of the maids keep an eye on her." She offered the woman a reassuring smile as Brigette handed her the toddler.
"We're waiting for your father." Linda poured tea into the delicate cups. "Darling would you please do the honors?"
Still puzzled, Nico rose to take the tray from her. Crossing over, he handed it to Brigette who was staring at him with a pleading look on her face.
"Mother, I really have to insist that you tell me what's going on."
"In due time." Refusing to be rushed, Linda crossed her elegant legs at the ankles and sipped her tea as she eyed her son. "You knew Ms. Jackson."
"Yes." He picked up the cup, took a sip of the tea, and tried not to grimace. "We were... friends for a while."
"More than friends, from what I gathered."
His eyes flashed at the intrusion. "I don't think that has anything to do with you."
"It does. Ah, here comes your father. Darling, I hope I did not drag you away from anything earth shattering."
"Just a few meetings." He glanced at the occupants of the room. "This is Brigette Jackson."
"It's Thorpe now." The woman offered tentatively. Her fingers were wrapped around the cup as if seeking a lifeline.
"I see." She divided a glance between her husband and son. "I take it that Nadine was not available?"
"She's off to the research site." James lowered himself next to his wife and gave her a curious stare. "What's going on?"
There was a hush as the question hung in the air. Nico glanced from his mother to Brigette, searching her face for clues. Brigette's gaze dropped to her teacup, her knuckles white around the delicate porcelain. The weight of unspoken words pressed on the room, thick and expectant.
"Ms. Jackson, I'm sorry, Mrs. Thorpe has a very interesting story to tell. I will let her fill us in." She gestured to the woman.
Taking a deep breath, Brigette put the cup down and clasped her hands in her lap as she looked at Nico. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
Another deep breath. "When we parted that time, I had no idea. In fact, it took two months for me to realize what had happened." She pressed her lips together. "That I was pregnant."
Shock had him pushing to his feet. "I'm sorry, what?"
"Her name is Gracie and she's your daughter. She's a year and a half—" Her fingers tightened, and she was not sure she could continue. "She's—"
He held up a hand and she stuttered to a stop. "Let me get this straight. You were pregnant with my baby, and you never said a word? What the hell is this? Are you hoping that coming here at this time, would accomplish what exactly? Is it money you're after, because I can damn well tell you that's not going to happen."
The insult snapped her out of her crippling fear and had her back going up. "I don't need your money."
"Then why are you here? And for the record, I always used protection." He snapped it out.
Her chin lifted. "I have no reason to lie, if you look at Gracie, you will see she's the spitting image of you."
"The resemblance is uncanny." His mother spoke up for the first time since the argument started.
"What?" Nico swung his gaze towards her.
"The child was awake when they came here, and she has the exact shape and color of our eyes."
