Author's Note: I finally found some time to get started on my stories again. This one is nearing its conclusion so I hope you enjoy this next chapter.
"Well here we are," Nikki said as she led Tommy into her apartment in Italy.
"It's a nice place," Tommy commented as they sat down their bags.
"It's been good a home for Abby and me," Nikki told him.
"I can't wait to meet her, though I am a little nervous, what if we don't get along and she doesn't like me," Tommy said as he held a picture of Abby that he had picked up from the coffee table.
"Thomas, you have nothing to worry about, Abby is the most affectionate child in the world, she loves everyone and she'll love you even more because you're her father," Nikki replied.
"So you want to show me around your home," Tommy said putting the picture down.
"Of course, why don't I show you Abby's room," Nikki said as she led him to their daughter's bedroom.
The next morning Nikki sat in her kitchen where she was waiting for her coffee to brew when she heard a scream coming from her bedroom. She raced into the room and found Tommy still lying in bed with the covers up to his neck and her housekeeper Carlotta standing in the door way.
"Signora Hunter?" Carlotta questioned.
"Sì, Carlotta è me," Nikki answered.
"Signora domestico benvenuto," Carlotta replied giving Nikki a hug.
"Grazie, Carlotta, it feels good to be home," Nikki told her as she led Carlotta out of the room to give Tommy some privacy.
"Is everything ok?" Tommy asked as he emerged from the bedroom sometime later.
"That was Carlotta my housekeeper, she didn't know I was coming home and she was a little surprised at finding a man in my bed, I explained everything to her as best I could and she's very happy that Abby's finally going to have a father in her life," Nikki explained.
"Speaking of our daughter, any idea on how soon I'll get to meet her?" Tommy questioned.
"I called Bruno the minute I woke up and he and Abby should be arriving here in a few hours," Nikki informed him.
"Wow, only a few more hours until I finally meet my little girl," Tommy said putting his arms around Nikki.
"I can't believe it either, it's like a dream come true," Nikki replied.
"So what can we do in the mean time, this waiting is going to kill me," Tommy told her.
"I thought you might like to see the dance studio where I teach and then I could show you around the town," Nikki replied.
"Sounds like a plan to me," Tommy told her.
"What do you think?" Nikki asked as she and Tommy entered.
"Its great, I can tell you really enjoy teaching," Tommy replied.
"Yeah I do, I mean it's a huge step away from the business world but it's made me very happy over the years and I've been able to support Abby," Nikki replied.
"You shouldn't have had to do that alone," Tommy told her.
"Oh Thomas, you can't keep blaming yourself for things that happened in the past, it's all behind us and now we need to concentrate on making a future with our daughter," Nikki said as they embraced.
"Scusilo che questo è un studio riservato," a voice said as someone entered the studio.
"Oh hello Vincenzo," Nikki said as she and Tommy broke apart.
"Nicole, you are back," he said in surprise.
"Yes, I am, Vincenzo meet Thomas Oliver," Nikki told him.
"It is nice to meet you," Vincenzo said.
"You too," Tommy replied.
"Thomas is my fiancé and Abby's father," Nikki informed him.
"But I thought that your fiancé was dead," Vincenzo said confused.
"It turns out that I was mistaken, Thomas and I are here to get our daughter," Nikki explained.
"Then you will be leaving Italy?" Vincenzo questioned.
"Yes, it's time that my daughter and I returned home to the States," she replied.
"Then I wish you the best of luck, you are a very lucky man Thomas," Vincenzo said as he hurried from the room.
"He seemed kind of heartbroken," Tommy remarked once they were alone again.
"Vincenzo tried for years to get me to go out with him but like I've said before you are the only man that my heart belonged to," Nikki told him.
"The same goes for me too, I love you," Tommy replied.
"I love you too, now let's go home and wait for our daughter," Nikki said.
A couple of hours later, Nikki and Tommy sat in the living room of her apartment waiting for Bruno to arrive with Abby.
"This waiting is killing me," Tommy remarked as the phone began to ring.
"Maybe its Bruno," Nikki said jumping up to answer it.
"What's the verdict?" Tommy asked once Nikki had hung up the phone.
"That was Bruno they'll be here in a couple of minutes," Nikki answered.
"I guess I should make myself scarce then," Tommy said.
"Yeah, you should wait in my bedroom and I'll come and get you once I've explained things to Abby," Nikki said giving him a hug and then watching as he went into the bedroom and shut the door behind him.
"Mommy, I missed you so much!" Abby exclaimed as she came running through the door minutes later.
"Oh baby, mommy missed you too," Nikki said as she gathered her daughter into her arms and hugged her closely.
"How are you?" Bruno asked as he too hugged Nikki.
"I'm perfect," Nikki told him.
"Mommy you were gone long time, where'd you go?" Abby asked.
"Come sit here on the couch and I'll tell you," Nikki said.
"I should leave you two alone," Bruno said as he moved towards the door.
"No, please stay," Nikki told him and he sat down opposite of them.
"Mommy went to home to America to find someone very special," Nikki explained.
"Did you find them?" Abby asked.
"Sweetie do you remember when I told you that your daddy was in an accident and that everyone thought he had died," Nikki began.
"Yes, you said Daddy was in heaven," Abby answered.
"I know I did baby and I thought that he was but mommy was wrong, a very bad man scared mommy away and that's why we live here with Bruno but the bad man went away and he's not here anymore, he can't hurt me or you or Bruno or anyone ever again," Nikki explained.
"If my daddy isn't in heaven then where is he?" Abby asked.
"Your daddy has been living in the United States because he couldn't find mommy because I was hiding," Nikki replied.
"From the bad man," Abby said.
"That's right but we don't have to hide anymore, its safe now," Nikki told her.
"Are we going to be with daddy now?" Abby asked.
"Yeah we are, and your daddy can't wait to meet you, he's so happy to have such a wonderful little girl," Nikki replied.
"I want to go meet daddy now," Abby said getting excited.
"I'm glad because guess what," Nikki told her.
"What?" Abby questioned.
"Your daddy is here, he was so excited to meet you that he came home with me," Nikki said walking over to her bedroom door and knocking. A few minutes later, Tommy emerged and Nikki led him over to where their daughter was sitting on the couch.
"Abby this is your daddy," Nikki said as Abby stared up at Tommy shyly.
"Hello Abby, I'm so happy to finally meet you," Tommy said unable to hold back the tears in his eyes.
"Why is daddy crying?" Abby asked.
"He's just really happy to see you," Nikki explained.
"I'm happy to see you too," Abby said as she ran over to Tommy and hugged him.
"You finally have your family," Bruno said as he watched the scene.
"Thank you for taking such good care of them," Tommy said as he walked over to Bruno with Abby still in his arms.
"It was my pleasure, I'll be going now," Bruno said as he shook Tommy's hand.
"Bruno, don't leave," Abby said.
"Don't worry my little butterfly, I will come back tomorrow, this is your time with your daddy now," Bruno said giving her a wink.
"Mommy, can I go and get Maria I want her to meet my daddy," Abby said once Tommy had put her down.
"Oh sweetie you and daddy need sometime to get to know one another, we can introduce him to Maria later," Nikki said laughing at her daughter's excitement.
"Daddy are you going to be with us forever now?" Abby asked.
"Forever and always, no one is ever going to keep me away from you or your mommy ever again," Tommy promised.
