"Ok, John" Carly said. "Blow out your candles!"
Nikolas stepped up beside her, "And don't forget- make a wish!"
John smiled at both of them and then leaned in to blow out his candles. He took a deep breath and blew out all three candles on the cake. The guests cheered and Carly took a picture.
"Good job little man," Michael said patting his cousin on the shoulder.
"Yes- good job" Carly agreed and kissed him on the cheek.
"I love you Aunt Carly" John told her.
Carly smiled down at him. "I love too John" she whispered and kissed him on the cheek again. Carly walked away with tears in her eyes and went to help Nikolas arrange the table with presents. "Are you about ready?" Carly asked him.
He turned and saw the tears. "Are you ok?" Nikolas asked.
Carly smiled, "Yes" she assured him. "It's just- He really does love me. No matter what." Carly paused. "Kind of like Courtney. He looks a lot like her too"
Nikolas got lost in his thoughts for a moment. He could see her face and her smile- it almost brought tears to his eyes but Nikolas was really letting go. Carly seemed to have more trouble with that than he did. He reached out and took her hand. "You are the best- we both adore you. Courtney did too"
"Ok, present time" Carly said a moment later. She reached forward and was about to grab a present when another set of hands reached for the same present. Carly looked up and saw Robin.
"Hello" Carly greeted her coolly. "Here to be a downer? Or are you here to warn Nikolas about me again? Let me guess- you are here to reveal someone's paternity? Really Robin- you should have a recurring role on Maury"
Nikolas stepped forward and tried to stop the altercation before it started. "Ladies- this isn't the time" he said but it fell on deaf ears.
Robin crossed her arms, "Have you heard from Jax?" she asked sweetly.
Carly paled but didn't respond. Nikolas knew she had not heard from Jax- not in years but he also knew Carly still carried a torch and believed Jax would come back.
"Oh guess not" Robin replied. "Well- I have. Sort of- Brenda called. They are getting married"
Carly dropped the gift and stepped back. She opened her mouth to retort but nothing came out. Instead she glared at Robin and stomped away. Robin watched with a self-satisfied smirk as Carly fled the room.
"You felt that necessary?" Nikolas asked her.
Robin turned and looked at Nikolas- shock written on delicate features. "She started it" Robin pointed out.
"No" Nikolas argued. "This battle started alone time ago" Nikolas sighed, "Look Robin- I know sometimes Carly makes comments and it seems like she is being combative just for the sake of being combative but she's not. Carly is afraid that you are going to always be one step behind her ruining all aspects of her life. And instead of walking away or setting the record straight you give her more reasons to justify her anger." Nikolas shook his head, "Would it kill you to be the bigger person? Would it have killed you to let her comments roll of your back on my son's birthday. Carly means the world to him- she means the world to both of us"
Robin didn't reply she just shook her head and walked away. Nikolas looked over and saw that John was playing happily with Michael and Morgan- then he followed Carly. He found her sitting in John's bedroom and she was crying.
"Carly-" he said gently. "Are you ok?"
Carly sat up quickly and turned away. "I am fine" she told him. Her voice was husky and full of emotion.
"Don't let Robin get to you" Nikolas said. He came into the room and kneeled beside her.
"This isn't about Robin" Carly replied. She faced Nikolas and his heart broke when he saw her make up was smeared down her face and fresh tears gathering in her eyes. "This is about me"
"What about you?" Nikolas asked. He took out a handkerchief and wiped away some of the dark make up and damp spots on her cheeks.
Carly let out a sob. "Why can't I hold on to any man?" she asked. "Jason, Sonny, Lorenzo and Jax" she ticked them off on her fingers.
Nikolas pulled back and tried to think of the best way to reply. "First of all" he started. "Jason is a great example of one of the many men who don't understand you" Carly opened her mouth to argue. "No" he said, "Let me finish. Jason pretends to understand you but he doesn't. Jason judges you just like everyone else does. So- in my humble opinion it isn't you who can't hold to a man. Men can't stay because they can't hold you down and that is what they really want to contain and control you. You are so much more than that" Nikolas paused, "And Jax is just a playboy"
Carly was silent for a few moments she seemed to processing his words. Finally she smiled at him. "Thanks Nik" she whispered.
"Glad to be of service" he said. He reached out and took Carly's hand. "Ok- ready to watch John open his gifts?"
Carly nodded and let Nikolas lead her out of the room.
