Bonds of Love
By Dueler312
Disclaimer: I do not own anything of OLTL.
Chapter 12
The Thornharts finally made it home, and were exhausted. Patrick was already asleep when they arrived back. Everyone agreed that it was just one bad day that ended in a good way.
Nicole volunteered to put her brother to bed. With some difficulty, she managed to carry Patrick to his room and lay him down. She pulled his shoes off as well, but decided to not undress him and just laid the covers over him as he slept on.
When Nicole was heading back downstairs, she saw that her mom and dad were clinging to each other in the front room on the couch. She felt really sorry about what Britney tired to do, and wanted to comfort them, but as she saw her parents sitting there next to each other with their faces touching each other, she knew it was better than to leave them alone. Nicole though decided to keep an eye on them.
Starr and Cole weren't aware that Nicole was watching. They were just glad to be back in each other's arms.
"I'm really glad that you are okay, Cole," said Starr.
"I am too," said Cole.
"I just can't believe we nearly fell for Britney's nice act again," Starr said with a little aggravation. "I mean, I should of figured something was wrong, but I just past that feeling away."
"Hey, none of us knew what Britney was going to do," said Cole. "And if it haven't been for Nicole for going with her guts and exposing Britney for what she was really doing, we wouldn't be even having this talk, because she would have still had me."
"Plus, let's not forget of how she left a lot of clues while she was trying to get you," said Starr. "But yeah, I am proud of our daughter for sticking up and protecting us, even though we're supposed to do the protecting." Cole laughed at that, and Nicole, who was still hiding on the stairs, smiled a big grin.
"Yeah, I am really glad we had her, even though we were really young ourselves," said Cole.
"Yeah, but you did miss that because of my dad," said Starr.
"True, but I did see her, and she did help save you from your dad when he tried to take you and her away," said Cole.
"Well, you know what," said Starr. "I think she definitely deserves something for what she has done. But right now, I really just want to be just with you for tonight."
"Well, I think I can do that," said Cole. Starr then yelped as Cole picked her up bridal style and started walking towards the steps. That gave the cue for Nicole to get out of the way and into her room. She did though keep the door opened a little bit to see her parents go into their bedroom, and closed the door. Once she was sure they were inside, she opened her door all the way and quietly went over to her door. She heard some ruffling in there, but she heard something that really melted her heart.
"I love you, Starr."
"I love you too, Cole."
Nicole just smiled a big grin again, and went back to her room, closing her door all of the way this time. She really did envy her parents love for one another. She then thought about them talking about her going nuts when they talk about Jake and her. She had to admit it, but made a note to keep it to herself until she wanted to release it, she really did have a crush on him. She still couldn't believe it, but knew that she had to wait.
Just then she heard a knock on her door, and she went to answer it. She was surprised though that it was Patrick.
"Hey, where's Mom and Dad, Nicole?" he asked.
Nicole just smiled and said, "Right now, Mom and Dad are spending some time with each other, and I think we need to let them have that time." Nicole then got something from her brother that was surprising. Her brother gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She smiled and then Patrick went back to his bedroom. She knew she couldn't complain about this.
Just then the phone ringed downstairs. "I got it," said Nicole, and she went downstairs to answer it.
"Hello," Nicole said into the receiver.
"Nicole, Its Jake. I got Crystal as well on the line as well," he said.
"Hang on," she said, and she connected Crystal to the line. "Crystal?" Nicole called into the phone.
"Yeah, I'm here," said Crystal. "We just heard that they found your dad. Is he okay?"
"Yeah, he was a little woozy, but he's okay now. He and my mom are spending a little time together," said Nicole.
"Eewww, " said Jake. "No offense, but I don't want to hear that." Nicole and Crystal laughed at that.
"Yeah, but I'm glad that they are alone. They need some time to themselves after that woman nearly got away with my dad," said Nicole.
"That definitely sounds romantic," said Crystal. "I am glad though that your dad is okay, Nikki."
"Thanks, you guys," said Nicole.
"Well, there is one more thing," said Jake. "It seems that most of the school heard about you helping to find your dad, so you may expect some traffic of getting through."
"Hey, they aren't going to matter. Those people weren't my friends before this, and if they think they can become my friend because of something I did, they're wrong," said Nicole.
"Well, at least you got us, Nikki," said Crystal.
"We're always going to be your best friends, now and forever," said Jake.
Nicole just smiled and teared a little. "You guys are really the greatest friends I ever had," she said. "I'll see you guys tomorrow," she added.
"No, problem, Nikki. Later," said Crystal.
"Same here," said Jake. "We'll see you at school."
Nicole hung up the phone, and then went back to her room to get ready for bed, but stopped as her mom called her.
"Hey, Nicole, who was that?" asked Starr.
"It was just my friends, Mom," explained Nicole. "They just wanted to say that they were glad that Dad was found safe and sound."
"That's really sweet of them," said Starr. "They really care for you."
"Well, they are my best friends, Mom," said Nicole. "They actually did help me proved what Britney was doing." Starr gave her daughter another hug and said to her," I love you, Nicole."
"I love you too, Mom. But I think Dad is waiting for you," she started to joke. Starr laughed a little and went off back into her and Cole's room. Nicole was glad that she had two of the best parents that she could ever ask for, along with her friends. She continued thinking that as she went back into her room and went to sleep in her bed.
Pretty neat, huh? Were you surprised that Nicole admitted that she has a crush for her friend, Jake? Stay tuned. We still got to deal with Britney and where she's going.
