Page 118 of Begin Again
“I’m going, I’m going,” I say before wishing them good luck and leaving.
Nick isn’t a full-time stay-at-home dad but spends most of his days with the kids. They love it, and so does he. When I decided not to step down two years ago, we had a long discussion about what our life would look like while I was still heavily involved in Villa Inc. But the clock was ticking on my time at the company. I prefaced my decision to remain at the helm with the notion that by the end of the year of my brother’s fortiethbirthday—which is now less than a year away—I would be taking a step back. My brother had less than eighteen months before I’d officially resign from my position as CEO and he’d have to step in. I’d remain on the board of both Villa Incorporated and DV Designs, remain a shareholder, and be involved in some projects, but it was my turn to enjoy the life my husband and I wanted five years ago. For now, though, we’re making the most of being in the city until we can return to our quiet life.
Occasionally, Nick works on a small project or offers expertise where needed, but mostly with DV Designs and less with Villa Inc. He and Michaela’s husband, Finn, get together once a week to “shoot the shit” and have time away from their wives and kids. Michaela gave birth two months after Tobias was born to Emerson Rose, so our husbands are in the trenches together and we know they need a break sometimes, too. The boys love it when Josh and Elizabeth come to town because it’s like a Three Musketeers reunion.
Nick stood up at his brother’s wedding, and while things aren’t perfect between the Davis brothers, they’re better. While he’s been patching things with his brother, I’ve been helping mine deal with the deal of our mother almost two years ago.
The board meeting runs over exactly thirty minutes and, naturally, they save the new location discussion for the end, which leaves me in an impossible situation. I told myself if the meeting went over more than thirty minutes, I would get up and leave regardless, and I did. Thankfully, it was already over.
Now I have exactly five minutes to get inside and find my seat before the ceremony begins. Nick is already inside, reserving two extra seats next to him and Jimmy; they left Tobias at home with Tessa. Luckily, Elena has no idea I’m late, and I’m hoping I’ll make it to my seat before she notices.
“I thought that was you,” a voice calls from my right. When I turn to see who is about to make me even later, a wide smile spreads across my lips.
Before I know what my feet are doing, they bring me to him instead of running up the steps. I don’t hesitate to return his tight embrace, which lifts me off my feet. “I thought you’d be inside already!”
“Got a little held up at the airport,” he says, setting me back on my feet.
I cradle his face between my hands. “It’s good to see you under better circumstances, Beau Turner.” We had seen Beau last month when Nick had to testify at the trial of the former Sheriff of Puck County. Rhett “Red” Wilson was finally being tried for his involvement in my husband’s disappearance, along with at least twenty others, maybe more. Nick was only a small piece in the puzzle, but his testimony was integral to the State’s case against Wilson. Cooper Hayes and Dakota Johnson had taken plea deals, agreeing to tell the police everything in exchange for fifty years each, instead of life behind bars. After an investigation into Chief Sloan, it was discovered he knew about Nick’s true identity but didn’t report it because Sheriff Wilson had threatened him. Sloan wasforcedpolitely asked to retire. He had no other choice; his options were either to step down or face charges of obstruction of justice and bribery. However, Wilson refused to consider a deal. He was willing to take his chances in the courtroom. Two weeks ago, he was found guilty. We’ll be back in Colorado next week for his sentencing, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea considering how the trial affected Nick. His nightmares returned first, and then he began to recede into himself, barely speaking to anyone, including me. It took at least a week after our return to New York before he seemed more like…him.
“You too, Sweetheart.” Beau covers one of my hands with his, giving it a gentle pat, before he motions toward the stairs. “We should probably get in there.”
“Nick and Jimmy are inside already.”
“How’s he doing?” Beau asks.
“Better every day.”
When we get into the school, I follow Beau through the crowd to our seats, and I’m surprised Nick left the two empty ones next to each other. Beau lets me go in first and we climb over the three people at the end of the row before I fall into the seat next to my husband.
“Was starting to think you were never going to make it,” Nick says, sweeping his gaze to the side without letting it fall on Beau.
“Hello to you, too,” I say, ignoring his tone, and kiss him as the lights go down to signal the start of the ceremony.
While he doesn’t like to talk about it, I know Nick is still getting used to having Beau around for some occasions. I wasn’t sure how to explain to my daughter Beau wouldn’t be around anymore. It felt like starting from scratch, similar to when I had to tell her about Nick’s disappearance, except this time there was a real possibility shewouldsee him again. He wasn’tgone, he was just…gone. And how was I supposed to explain that? The topic had come up a few times as we settled into our new life with Nick back home, but the first time it became an issue was Elena’s fourth birthday when she wanted to invite Beau to her party. And even though we had moved back to New York, she didn’t care—she wanted Uncle Beau there.
I could see the sting flash across Nick’s features when she made that request. It wasn’t until she had gone to bed that night that he finally let it show. He sat on the tub ledge, head hung low, and asked me, “Why is our daughter asking for Beau to be at her party?”
“Because she likes him.”
“Nina—”
“Nick, if you feel this strongly about Beau not coming, you can have that conversation with our daughter. I don’t see why he can’t come.” I sat up further in the water and stared at him, waiting for a response, but got none. His eyes remained downcast, staring at his folded hands. I gently placed my hand on his knee. “Are you worried something will happen between me and Beau?”
He sighed. “I didn’t say that.”
“I don’t think you had to.”
Finally, his eyes met mine. The uncertainty in them broke my heart. I thought we had gotten past this, and had come to terms with everything that happened the year he was gone.
“I won’t sit here and beg you to let Beau come.” I bit down on my bottom lip. “But I wasn’t the only one he looked after while you were gone, Nick. And our daughter loves him. Beau became part of her life. If you have a problem and don’t want him around for things…then you have that conversation with Elena.”
He never had the conversation. Instead, he walked into the closet as I got dressed the next morning and told me to invite Beau.
When I see how tense Nick gets when Beau walks into a room, I wonder if I made the wrong choice; maybe I should’ve pushed him harder to talk to Elena.
Not to mention, my husband wasn’t the only one who felt uncomfortable with the idea. Initially, Beau wasn’t sure he should come, regardless of how much he loved Elena. While Nick had been gracious the morning of the initial interrogation, and during any follow-up interviews, that was business. This was personal.
It took a little convincing from yours truly to get the sheriff to agree to show up, and even then, I wasn’t sure he was going to show. When he did, Elena was over the moon. Her Uncle Beauhad shown up to her party and thus began the newest family tradition of Beau joining us for (most) Elena-related events.
