Ch 25

The next morning I woke up with my lovely wife snuggled up next to me. We never did make it to the shower last night. I wrap my arms around her and start to fall asleep again as the phone rings.

"Don't answer it Jack."

I look at it, it's Atticus. "I have to."

"Good morning Jack, hope I didn't wake you."

"Is Nadia ok?" I ask concerned.

"Yes. I just wanted to let you know that she's on her way to see you and Sydney. I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't have it. I think she was getting cabin fever so to speak. She didn't want me to tell you she was coming, but I thought that I should."

"I'll meet her at the airport."

"She should be landing late this morning. Jack you really need to talk to her. She feels like she has no one, no family…homeless."

"I was planning on it once I talked to the rest of the kids."

"Well you have a couple of hours, I think that she was planning on saying good bye to you and Sydney and heading back to Argentina."

"I'm not going to let that happen. I guess I have a lot to get done over the next couple of hours."

"Good luck."

I hung up the phone and looked back at Laura.

"I really do need a vacation." I said dryly.

"What was that all about?"

"Nadia, she's on her way, be her in a couple of hours. I need to tell the kids about her. Especially Sydney, they've gotten pretty close. I think she'll be excited that she's still her sister and totally shocked."

"Well I can't wait to meet her. The rest of the kids will be fine. Especially Lilly, she needs a sibling closer to her own age."

I grabbed my phone made a few quick calls arranging for everyone to meet me here in an hour. Some how Laura and I managed to get our shower among other things.

Sixty minutes later I was down stairs drinking coffee, when everyone trickled in.

Sydney cornered me in the kitchen. "Dad what's going on?"

I took here outside to the back porch. Since she already knew Nadia, I felt that she needed to be told first.

"It's about Nadia."

"What about her? Is she ok."

"Yes, she's fine. She's actually on her way here."

"That's great, I've missed her. But why are you getting everyone together?"

"Sydney, I've always had questions as to weather or not I'm her father… there certainly was the possibility. "

"And."

"Atticus confirmed that she is in fact mine."

"Dad, that's great, does she know?"

"No. That 's why I wanted to tell all of you before I head off to pick her up and fill her in."

"Well what are you waiting for, I think everyone will be ecstatic."

"Your mother said the same thing, but I can't help but think they may feel a bit hesitant in accepting her considering who her mother is. I just want her to be accepted, she's been through a hell of a lot for such a young lady."

"I agree, but I still think everything will be ok."

We headed back into the house. Caitlin immediately came running up giving me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"I just want to thank you again, for bringing Ben back."

"You're welcome." I said back to her.

I sat down on the sofa next to Sydney and Laura. Laura was holding my hand. She always had a way of knowing when I need that extra support. I proceeded to fill everyone in on Nadia. Once again my wife was correct, another addition to our bunch, the fifth Bristow seemed to have everyone's acceptance, thus far. Lilly was excited about having another older sister. Sydney proceeded to fill everyone in a bit more about her.

I knew I needed to leave for the airport. I was originally planning on using my flight as time to figure out how I was going to tell her I'm her father. Now I only had minutes and not hours.

I guess it was for the best, the longer I think about it the more nervous I'll end up getting anyway. As I headed for the door, Laura followed me outside.

"Jack, you'll do fine. Just be yourself."

"I really don't know who that person is any more."

"Yes you do, I've seen him several times over the last few days. Just remember one thing and one thing only…"

"What's that."

"We all love you."

"I know."

She leaned in and kissed me.

"You'll be ok sweetheart."

I nodded and headed off.

My heart was beating 500 miles and hour as I walked into the airport. I found her terminal. I was the last person she'd be expecting to see when she got off. I watched as the people exited the plane. I headed over when I seen her.

"Nadia."

"Jack, how…"

"Atticus called me this morning. He was worried, I…uhhh, well was too."

"I'm fine, I'm used to flying alone."

"I know. I just wanted to make sure you were ok."

"I'm good."

We walked in silence to get her bags. I carried them for her out to the car.

"So I hear you were planning on surprising me and Syd."

"Yeah, listen Jack there's something I want to tell you."

"I have something I wanted to talk to you about also." I drove to the park where Laura and I met. "Care to go for a walk with me? We can talk here."

"Sure."

"So what did you want to tell me."

"First of all I just wanted to thank you for being there for me during my recovery. You've been so supportive of me unlike my father, who's the reason I ended up half dead, it really means a lot to me. I guess that even though Syd and I aren't sisters biologically she's still the only real family I've ever had…you too. Anyway I think that I'm going to move back to Argentina, maybe go back to school."

She stood there in front of me with her hands in her pockets, as if she was waiting for me to say ok and good bye. I remained silent, I sensed that she had more to say.

"I know that we've had our little tiffs at work and all, but for some reason I feel like I can talk to you. I told Sydney once that she was lucky to have you as her father."

"Really?..." I asked completely surprised.

"Yes. Jack you really don't give yourself enough credit as a father. Your methods may be a bit unconventional, but anyone can see how much you truly love her. I'm actually kind of jealous…but anyway you said that you wanted to tell me something."

It was my turn…