New Year's Day Nikki pushed Tyler's stroller into the lobby of Jeff's parents hotel.
"Do you want to do this," Meghan asked.
"No," Nikki admitted, "but I won't be the one that keeps Tyler from his dad's family."
A short plump brunette woman a few years younger than Evelyn approached, "Nikki?"
"Lorna," Nikki replied," it's good to see you. This is my sister Meghan."
"Nicole it's good to see you," Troy greeted.
"Can we see him," Lorna asked.
"Of course," Nikki replied, folding back the rain cover on the stroller, "this is Tyler."
"He is a handsome little man," Lorna gushed.
"I like to think so," Nikki smiled.
"I don't think we've met," Troy said to Meghan.
Meghan stuck out her hand, "Meghan Hunt Nikkis big sister."
"Troy Barker," Troy replied, "Jeff's dad."
"Is Jeff joining us," Meghan asked.
"He's on his way," Troy replied, "I was at the house and Nikki's moms for a few things over the years. Why haven't we met?"
"I was with the army in Iraq and Afghanistan," Meghan replied.
"What did you do with the army," Troy asked.
"I'm a trauma surgeon so I was in field hospitals," Meghan replied.
Meghan noticed a brown haired man about Nikki's age walking towards them. Nikki tensed and stepped closer to Meghan.
"Nik," Jeff greeted, "where's our son? And you brought back up."
"Jeff Barker this is Meghan," Nikki said, "she wanted to meet you and put a face to the name. Tyler is asleep in the stroller."
"He's always asleep," Jeff grumbled.
"It's 9:30," Nikki said, "his morning nap is 9:30 to 11:00. I told you that. He'll nap in the stroller so we can all talk."
"Can you wake him up," Jeff asked.
"Closer to 11," Nikki said, "if I don't let him do a good hour now he'll be really fussy."
"You could have planned ahead," Jeff said, "and got him up earlier this morning so he could have an early nap."
"He's up at 6:30, I'm up at six so I'm showered and dressed before he's up," Nikki replied, "and he's still not sleeping through the night. He was up twice last night and he's teething again. It hurts him and he just wants me."
"How's he doing with solids," Lorna asked.
"He loves food," Nikki smiled, "hard boiled eggs are his current favorite. Or my toast. Not the toast I give him mine."
"Just share," Jeff said.
"I can't. I have peanut butter. He's still too little for nuts," Nikki replied.
"Should we go get breakfast," Lorna suggested.
"We could," Nikki agreed she looked at Meghan.
"I haven't eaten yet," Meghan agreed.
"Do you have children," Lorna asked.
"A son," Meghan replied, "he's eight."
"Why haven't we met before," Lorna asked.
Meghan was matter of fact, "I was captured in 2007 and was just found and released in May. I haven't been home a year yet."
"You must have stories," Troy said.
"None worth telling," Meghan answered.
"Nik how are you doing," Jeff asked.
"I'm good," Nikki replied, "two classes left on my masters I should finish in August. Then just teaching and spending time with Ty. He's my world. You?"
"Working," Jeff said, "seeing Krissy. What about you are you seeing anyone?"
"I am," Nikki replied, "it's new. How long have you been with Krissy?"
"A year and a half," Jeff admitted.
"So she's the person you cheated on me with," Nikki asked.
"She is," Jeff replied.
"Does she know about me or Ty," Nikki asked.
"She knows about you," Jeff agreed, "she's not a parent either."
"You are a parent," Nikki said, "we have a son. I know this is only the second time you've seen him but he is ours. You got the DNA results. I invite you to come see him, I send you photos and videos at least once a week and you never reply. Ty needs his dad."
"Hasn't your brother just swooped in like Owen always does," Jeff sneered.
"We spend time with Owen, Teddy and their kids," Nikki said, "but Uncle Owen and Uncle Nathan aren't dad. You have no clue how hard it is to grow up rejected by a parent. That won't happen to our son."
"I'm only doing this because my parents are in town," Jeff hissed.
"Then why did you come," Nikki asked, "putting on a show for your mom and dad?"
"They didn't think you would bring him if I wasn't here," Jeff said.
"Considering your mom calls me once a week to ask about Ty I would have," Nikki answered.
"Back to you dating," Jeff said, "has he met Tyler?"
"He has," Nikki said, "actually before we were officially dating. It's someone from work. I wasn't looking, I was just going to spend time with Ty and do my thing. It wasn't planned."
"I see now that we can't work," Jeff said.
"We never will," Nikki replied, "you broke my trust. But we do have to figure out how to coparent."
"Can we just do what we've been doing," Jeff asked.
"No you need to be more of a presence in Ty's life," Nikki said, "this isn't working for him. Right now he's a baby, he doesn't know you. He won't remember that you weren't here but there will be a day that it's too late. We need a schedule. It doesn't have to be long but it has to happen regularly."
"Once a month," Jeff suggested.
"That would work," Nikki agreed, "we need to set dates for the next six months and stick to them. I'll plan my life around it. There's one weekend in May I can't do because I'm at the state math teachers conference but other than that we're good."
"Where is he when you go," Jeff asked.
"We haven't decided if my mom is coming with me or if he's staying here with mom, Meghan or Teddy," Nikki answered.
"How old will he be," Jeff asked.
"Just over a year," Nikki said, "it depends on how he's doing with being away from me. School days are still a stretch, he's really clingy with me when I get him from Mom or Meg after school. He hasn't been away from me overnight. I'm always home to put him to bed."
"I thought he went to daycare," Jeff said.
"He's better with my mom or Meghan until he's a year and a bit. Maybe next September when he's ready for some socialization," Nikki said.
"So your mom and your back from the dead sister babysit everyday," Jeff said.
"I was never dead, just held captive," Meghan snapped, "I have Ty two days a week and our mom has three. It's not like I've seen you around and I lived with Nikki in the basement until the week before Christmas."
"I was there in June," Jeff snapped.
"I was in the hospital," Meghan replied, "if you wanted him in daycare you could pay for it or at least pay child support. Right now mom and I babysit for free."
"Meghan," Nikki scolded.
"It's the truth," Meghan replied, "you won't say it but I have no problem with it."
"Meghan drop it," Nikki warned.
They continued walking and settled in the restaurant making small talk about Tyler and the newest milestones he was hitting, crawling, babbling, solid foods and the things he likes, his bath, the cat, blocks, story time, balls, music and cuddles.
"Will you teach him violin," Jeff asked.
"Piano first," Nikki said, "it's the foundation. We had to do piano when we were little but I was 8 when I chose the violin."
"You're musical," Lorna asked.
"Violin mainly," Nikki said, "I can play piano but Meg is the pianist."
"You said Tyler likes music," Troy said.
"He loves when I play on my own or with my siblings," Nikki said, "he bounces on his bum, waves his arms and claps."
They ordered their breakfast, Nikki sticking to the herbal tea she had been enjoying for the last year and a half.
"No coffee Nik," Jeff asked.
"No," Nikki said, "no caffeine at all. Not since we found out about Tyler."
"No caffeine and no alcohol your no fun," Jeff said.
"I drink the odd time with Meghan and Teddy," Nikki replied.
"You only ever did for Teddy's birthday," Jeff said.
"Owen's or moms," Nikki said, "never when either of us had to drive because you always drank too much."
"What about your not brother," Jeff asked.
"Nate is good," Nikki replied.
"We're finally getting married in August," Meghan smiled.
Listening to the conversation Meghan texted Owen, Nathan and Teddy, "has Jeff always been condescending?"
Teddy, "he never talked to her or I nicely. He's better with the guys."
Nathan, "he has no respect for women."
Meghan, "whats with calling her Nik?"
Owen, "he always did."
Meghan, "it's Nikki, squirt, munchkin or Nicole."
Teddy, "Allison has munchkin now."
Meghan, "can I slap him?"
Owen, "I did the night they broke up. After pinning him to the wall."
Meghan, "I hate him."
Teddy, "we all do. How's she holding up?"
Meghan, "tense."
In the stroller Ty began to stir. Nikki unbuckled him and set him in her lap.
"Meg," Nikki asked, "can you get the bottle from his bag?"
"Do you need it warmed," Meghan asked.
"There's a thermos with hot water to warm it," Nikki smiled, "mom has good tricks."
"Mom did it when you were a baby," Meghan said.
Troy looked at the two sisters, while they were obviously related there was a clear aged difference.
"What's the age gap," Troy asked looking from Nikki to Meghan.
"14 years," Meghan said, "then our brother is three years older than me."
"Can I give him the bottle," Jeff asked.
"You can try," Nikki said lifting Ty over to Jeff.
"Mama," Ty babbled.
"Your dad wants to see you," Nikki said, "I'm right here little man. Mommy isn't going anywhere."
"Mama," Ty said reaching his arms to Nikki.
"Have your bottle," Nikki said putting the bottle on the table.
Jeff picked up the bottle to hand it to Ty.
"Put it against his lips and help him hold it," Nikki guided.
Jeff tried to lay Tyler on his back.
"Not that far back," Nikki said.
"I can give a baby a bottle," Jeff snapped.
"He's picky," Nikki said, "and you've never done this before with him. He's 8 months and this is only the second time you've seen him."
"Jeffery," Lorna scolded, "you're holding him too far back and too tight."
"He's not taking the bottle," Jeff said.
"Because he's not in a good position," Nikki argued, "and he likes to hold it."
Ty kept turning his head away from the bottle.
"I'll feed him," Nikki said, she stood up and picked up Tyler, she sat him back in her lap and held the bottle for him to grab.
Tyler grabbed the bottle and sucked on it for a few minutes before he noticed Nikki had real food. He reached towards her plate.
"I have one of his spoons in his bag," Nikki said.
"Do you want me to," Meghan asked.
"Please," Nikki replied, "side pocket."
"Always," Meghan replied, "you always pack his bag the same way."
Meghan reached into the diaper bag and passed Nikki the spoon and a bib. Nikki took a small scoop of her scrambled eggs and fed Tyler a taste.
"He's a good eater," Lorna said.
"He likes food," Nikki agreed, "he can have eggs and potatoes."
Nikki gave Tyler a small chunk of hash brown to nibble. Putting the bottle back on the table for when Ty was ready for it.
"He's very relaxed with you," Troy noticed.
"Squirt do you want me to hold him so you can eat," Meghan offered.
"I'll take him," Lorna offered.
Nikki passed the baby to Lorna. Tyler immediately began to fuss.
"Hey big boy," Lorna said, "I'm grandma Barker. You can sit with me. Can I get his bottle?"
Nikki passed the bottle across the table.
"Mamamamama," Tyler babbled reaching towards his mom.
"You're okay baby boy," Nikki said, "I'm right here."
"Mom," Jeff said.
"I've got him," Lorna said, "I need to get to know my grandson."
They had all seen how awkward and uncomfortable Jeff had been with the little boy.
They finished their brunch with limited conversation. And walked back to the hotel. Jeff picking at Nikki and how she was raising Tyler.
"Krissy would like to see him," Jeff said, "she's picking me up."
"We have to get going," Nikki said.
"But your boyfriend can see him," Jeff snapped.
"Because it's someone I know very well," Nikki said, "who demonstrates that he cares about me and Tyler. Who is this woman?"
"My girlfriend," Jeff said, "she wants to see him."
"Right now I'm angry," Nikki said, "you've made no effort in the last eight months to get to know him. 17 months really. You have not been there from the moment we found out I was pregnant. You only came today because your parents are here. Now with your girlfriend around you want to play daddy. But you know the moment he fusses or doesn't do what you want and he's 8 months he has a mind of his own. I should get him home so he can have some play time."
"We can take him to the park," Jeff said, "Krissy and I."
"He's not out of my sight and he's too little for the playground," Nikki said, "I'm going to take him home. I have plans for the rest of my day. Meghan works later so I can't take her the whole day. I'm watching her son. I'd like to give Ty some playtime at home on the carpet and do a few errands before Meghan drops Faroke off."
"You trade daycare," Troy asked.
"We do," Meghan said, "as well as with our brother. Him and his wife have three kids. We all help each other out."
"Jeff," a tall blonde woman called across the hotel lobby.
"Krissy," Jeff said.
The woman walked over, Nikki clutched the handle of the stroller so tight her knuckles turned white. Seeing the instant tension in Nikki's body Meghan stepped closer to Nikki to reassure her little sister.
"Krissy this is Nikky," Jeff introduced.
Nikki took a deep breath and extended her hand, "it's nice to meet you. I think we spoke on the phone last fall."
"We did," Krissy replied, this was not what she expected Nikki to look like. She had not expected the red hair and blue eyes, Nikki was slim and of average height. This wasnt the type of woman Jeff had flirted and fooled around with at work since they were hired right out of college.
Jeff pulled the stroller out of Nikki's hands, suddenly possessive of the baby he had only seen twice.
"This is Tyler," Jeff said, turning the stroller to face Krissy.
She knelt down and tried to unbuckle the straps unsuccessfully.
"Need help," Nikki asked.
"Did you have to have the crazy strap one," Jeff asked.
"It's safe," Nikki replied unbuckling the straps with one hand. She lifted him out and put Tyler on her hip, the little boy hid his face in his mom's side.
"May I," Krissy asked, reaching towards Tyler.
"For a moment," Nikki said, "then we really have to get going. We have plans this afternoon."
"What plans," Krissy asked.
"Meeting his auntie Julie for a walk, play time, groceries then I'm watching both of my siblings kids tonight," Nikki answered.
"He's beautiful," Krissy said.
Tyler began to fiss in the stranger's arms.
"He's getting cranky, we're going to go home," Nikki said, "it was good to see you."
Nikki kept Tyler in her arms letting her sister help her push the stroller back to her car.
"Can you drive," Nikki asked.
"I was planning to," Meghan replied.
"That was hell," Nikki ranted, "playing happy dad for his parents and girlfriend after saying several times that he didn't want to be a dad. He can't commit to seeing us. He hasn't paid me since August."
"August," Meghan said, "so he's paid how many months?"
"June and July," Nikki replied, "it's the principal of the thing. I make decent money. I don't have student loans."
"You don't have student loans," Meghan said, "how?"
"Mom and I guess you paid my first three semesters at UW," Nikki replied.
"So mom did that," Meghan said, "good. If something happened to Owen or I the money the family gets as a lump sum was to pay for your education. We agreed on that. But only 3 semesters."
"I had a three quarter of a million settlement after my accident," Nikki said, "I lost about 200 of it to taxes. We put 500 of it in an account I can't touch until I'm 30 unless mom signs off and used the rest to pay for my education. I always worked and paid my living expenses that way. And Owen doesn't charge me the rent they should."
"So you're sitting on half a million," Meghan gasped, "no wonder you don't panic about money. Does Jeff know?"
"He knows I have the settlement but not the amount," Nikki said, "it's in trust until I'm 30 mom has to sign off for me to take anything out. I haven't checked in a while but it's grown. It's a house when I'm a bit more confident and independent and Ty's education. I want it to educate my son."
"Smart," Meghan said.
"I should pay you back for my first three semesters," Nikki said.
"That was our gift to you if we couldn't be there," Meghan said.
"Meghan," Nikki said.
"That's my gift to you," Meghan said, "it was something Owen and I wanted to do for you."
"Thank you," Nikki replied.
"You still need to get Jeff to pay," Meghan said.
"Court date next month," Nikki replied.
"Then what was today," Meghan asked.
"A gesture of good faith on my part," Nikki said, "when he asked I brought Tyler. I met his demands. Are you really meeting Julie?"
"That was a cover," Nikki replied.
"You are babysitting," Meghan said.
"Boys are in bed by 7:30," Nikki replied.
"That smirk," Meghan said, "what are you planning?"
"Brett is coming over at 6," Nikki said, "dinner and play with the boys. Then we'll hang out and catch up."
They drove home in silence. Nikki went straight to the basement just needing time while Meghan let herself into Owen's kitchen.
"Dumb dumb," Meghan bellowed.
"Hello to you two," Owen said.
"How could you stand by and let her date that ass hole," Meghan ranted, "he was condescending, kept putting her down, had no clue what to do with Tyler and he's only paid 2 months of child support."
"We tried to show her," Owen said, "Nikki couldn't see it. She only had me and Teddy to set an example of a mature relationship."
"He is an ass," Meghan said, "how could he hurt her like that. Then his girlfriend showed up. She looked like a barbie doll. Was as real as one two."
"How is she," Owen asked.
"Upset," Meghan said, "she's downstairs."
"She does that," Owen said, "should I go down."
Nikki sat on the floor with her phone and texted Nathan.
Nikki, "Meg and I took Ty to see Jeff."
Nathan, "how was it?"
Nikki, "he was him."
Nathan, "his usual comments?"
Nikki, "yes but he didn't touch me this time."
Nathan, "do Meg and Owen know about that?"
Nikki, "only you. And only because it came out in Kenya."
Nathan, "you're better off with out him. Does your lawyer know?"
Nikki, "she does. She'll use it for me to have primary custody. I want Jeff to see Ty once a week or every other week. We have a tentative plan for once a month, with one of our family around. Meg or Teddy."
Nathan, "not me or Owen?"
Nikki, "you'll both swing and make it worse."
Nathan, "we should have seen it and protected you sooner. I only figured it out because of the bruises when we swam."
Nikki, "I know. I was stupid and wore a bikini."
Nathan, "you were fine. I'm the only person who would have recognized it."
Nikki, "don't tell them. That's our secret."
Nathan, "falls under doctor patient confidentiality I can't. You told me about it as your doctor when I asked about the injury. I will keep that secret until you want to tell your sisters and brother."
Nikki, "they'd be so mad at me I can't."
Nathan, "Owen will react like I did. Concern, care wanting to protect and help you. Meghan and Teddy will hug you and hold you while you cry."
Nikki, "when I'm ready."
Nathan, "do I need to worry about Brett?"
Nikki, "he's the opposite. He's hesitant to take my hand and looks tentative before putting his arms around me to cuddle and watch a movie. He lets me take the lead."
Nathan, "he should. He has to be a gentleman. I know three of us talked to you about that."
Nikki, "he's a gentleman."
Nathan, "are you happy?"
Nikki, "I am."