Chapter 21
Nikola sat in the library, reading Mark Twain and sipping carefully at a glass of '59Chateau Margaux. After half a minute, Nikola put the book down.
'I never liked Twain.' He thought to himself. Nikola got up, moving his hand around lightly in a circular motion, stirring the wine in the glass. He took a sip and hummed to himself as he searched for another book.
He was completely unaware of anyone entering the room until someone tapped his shoulder. Nikola turned around and came face to face with Gregory Magnus.
"Helloooo…" He said backing away slightly.
"You got my daughter pregnant. Twice." Nikola's eyes widened and took another step back.
"Yes." He said, while he thought, 'Helen and I were supposed to tell you together…'
"And you hurt her. You left after you weren't able to save your baby." Nikola stiffened. So Helen had told him about that too. Unless it was Helen, Nikola didn't like to think about their dead son. It reminded of how much he had failed.
"I tried."
"But you didn't try hard enough." Nikola felt his anger grow. Gregory had never liked him. He loved James, he liked John, and he put up with Nigel. But he always hated Nikola. Suddenly Nikola was tired of it. He didn't have to put up with this.
"You're right. I tried and failed. But in my defence, your daughter failed as well. She failed to mention she was carrying my child. She kept that from me. She knew how dangerous Nathan was. She knew, and went up against him anyway! She failed our child as well, Gregory. No matter how perfect you think she is, your daughter, Helen Magnus, is full of secrets and failures." Gregory stood shocked for a moment, but continued all the same.
"If you feel so strongly about this, why do you stay?"
"She may have kept our son from me, but she did so in protecting herself. I…I left her before all of this. She was making sure I wouldn't leave again."
"Which you did."
"Yes, I left. But I left both times for very good reasons. I left the first time because I had leads on the Cabal. They hurt Helen, so I hurt them so badly they'll never hurt anyone again. And the second time I left, I left…because I blamed Helen for the death of our baby. A part of me knew she wasn't to blame but I didn't want to stay and end up hurting her. I realize that leaving was worse, in both cases, than hurting her feelings. I've come back. I'm still earning all of her trust, but I'm willing to do that. And now we're having a baby. We're having two. And they will be the most beautiful, smart, wonderful children in the world. And they will be that way because your daughter is their mother. Helen is the most magnificent, breathtaking, woman I have ever met. That says a lot because I've met many women in my lifetime. And I have waited over one hundred years for her. And I will not let you ruin our happiness." Nikola took in a breath and waited. Gregory stood there, angry. The two of them just stared at each other for a long time. After awhile, Gregory's face softened and he patted Nikola on the shoulder. Nikola looked at his hand and then to his face confused. Gregory laughed.
"I never liked you, Nikola." He said, smiled on his face. Nikola glared at him.
"I know. You've made it quite obvious."
"I never liked you," He continued. "Because I thought you were spineless. You did whatever Helen told you to do. You never stood up to me. But here you are, one hundred years later, standing up to me. You obviously love my daughter. And you've finally stood up to me. You have my blessing." Nikola stared at him wide eyed.
"What? That was all it took for you to like me? I had to stand up to you? Are you bloody kidding me? I've wanted to tell you a lot of things over the years, but I didn't because I thought you would hate me more! The only reason I did what Helen said and didn't stand up to you was because I thought it would be rude! When I was at your house for Christmas back in eighteen ninety eight, and you were wearing that butt ugly suit, I didn't say anything because you were the man of the house! And Helen's father! I thought you would kick me out and Helen would never speak to me again!" Nikola walked away; towards the table and picked up the bottle of wine, taking a huge gulp and then slammed the bottle back down. He started to pace, shaking his head back and forth.
"All those times…" He whispered. He turned back to Gregory, and threw his hand into the air, waving them frantically.
"All those times! All those times I wanted to tell you to shut up! All the times I wanted to say you were wrong! All those times I wanted to mention your wine storage was crap! And as it turns out, you would have liked me to tell you all those things! My god, Gregory! You are a crazy son of a…"
"I felt you had to learn on your own." He interjected.
"Well! I've learned my lesson. And from now on, expect me to speak my mind."
"Alright. I will." He said, before turning and leaving the library. Nikola paced for a little longer and sighed. That man was as crazy as his daughter…
Helen was heading past the library when she heard shouting. As she reached the door, her father walked out. He nodded at her and kept walking. Curious, Helen went to see was in the library. She opened the huge oak door and saw Nikola, leaning down to pick up a glass of wine. She sighed and walked over to him.
"What did you just say to my father? I heard shouting and my father just walked out." Nikola rolled his eyes.
"It's not my fault. Your father started it."
"What did he say?"
"He wanted to say he didn't like me."
"Oh, you poor baby…" She simpered and wrapped her arms around him and felt him sigh exasperatedly.
"Did you know your father would have liked me a hundred years ago if I had stood up to him?" Helen smiled against his chest.
"That's what the shouting was about?" She laughed.
"Yes. And as it turns out, because I stood up to him he has given us his blessing." Helen sighed contently. She had hoped her father would give his blessing.
"Well, I'm glad he has. Not that I wouldn't be able to live without it." She remarked sarcastically. Nikola laughed and leaned down. His lips met hers softly and the kiss was full of love.