Chapter 35- Nelle's Nightmare
Nina groaned when she and Sonny hit yet another red light. "Are we almost there? Why is the guy in front of us going so slow?"
"We'll be there soon," Sonny assured. "Willow is safe, and Britt is bringing the kids in an hour. We have lots of time."
"I just don't want to waste another second, you know? We were robbed of a lifetime together." She lifted her phone when it started to ring. She stared at Ava's name. "Whatever this is Ava, it can wait." She began tucking her phone away but jolted when Sonny stepped on the gas, and her phone fell to the floor.
"I know. But just try to look at this from Willow's perspective. If you're all anxious and wanting to buy them so many things and redecorate and all that, it might overwhelm her."
"But Sonny, I want to give them the world," Nina said. "At least what I can give them of the world."
"I get that, but it could overwhelm Willow. I just want to see you guys build on what you've already started. Remember, Willow told you she wanted to take things slow. Well, she's kind of had this push to live with someone. She chose you, which is great, but you don't want to scare her off. If you feel the need to provide for her, then maybe put it in Willow's court. Just tell her to let you know if there's anything she needs or wants. Leave it open-ended. Let her come to you after that."
"I guess I could try that. But Sonny, it's going to be really hard for me."
"Just take a deep breath and take it one moment at a time," Sonny said. "You've got this."
GHGHGH
"Come on, Nina, pick up," Ava said, holding her phone to her ear.
"Hi, this is Nina Reeves. Please leave a message after the tone and I will get back to you."
Ava sighed. "Hi Nina, it's Ava. I really didn't want to do this over a voice message. But maybe I should wait until I know for sure anyway, so I don't get your hopes up for nothing…. Well, I'm leaving town for a couple of days. Leaving in the morning. I'm going to find something out that could affect you. I will let you know once I know for sure. I'll call you when I do know."
GHGHGH
Sonny and Nina met Liesl in the waiting area.
"How is she?" Nina asked.
"Better," Liesl said. "But Nina, what I didn't tell you on the phone, is that we found your mutter in the hallway with Willow and the kids."
Nina gasped. "What?"
"But she's been arrested. Dante took her in."
"Okay, good."
GHGHGH
Carly pounded on the gatehouse door. "Come on, Michael, let me in!"
"There's nothing left to say," Michael shouted.
"Michael, can you please forgive me? I don't know if I could survive without you."
"You chose your need for revenge over Willow's health. And at the end of the day, it was her decision."
"It wasn't about revenge. I was trying to protect Willow. She said she didn't want a mother like Nina and said she didn't want to know."
"That was literally right after Harmony died. She changed her mind. And now she seems perfectly fine with having Nina for a mother. She ran right to her after Dex held her at gunpoint. She went to her instead of me. But despite all that… you risked her health. That is something I can never forgive you for."
GHGHGH
Nina fumbled with her keys and dropped them when Sonny brought her and Willow home. Nina laughed nervously. "I'm so sorry." She picked them back up and her shaky hand had trouble putting it in the keyhole.
"Here, let me," Sonny offered. He took the keys from her and unlocked the door.
"Well, this is it." Nina touched the small of Willow's back and ushered her inside. "Make yourself at home. If you want anything, need anything, don't be afraid to ask." Nina nodded at Sonny as she attempted to take his advice (for the moment anyway).
"Thank you," Willow said. "So, Britt's on her way with the kids?"
"Yes, they should be here soon," Nina said, taking a deep breath. "Do you want to sit down? Do you want me to show you around? Or do you want to lie down, watch TV, read a book? I know you like books. I could buy you some books tomorrow because I really don't have many here."
Sonny nudged her.
"I mean, we can do whatever you want." Nina waved her hand nonchalantly. "The ball is in your court."
Sonny smacked himself in the forehead.
"All right," Willow said. "I wouldn't mind a tour, but I think I should sit down first."
Nina moved over to her quickly and took her arm. "Are you okay? Here, sit on the couch."
She helped her sit down. "I'm okay, just a little dizzy again."
"Dizzy?" Nina looked up at Sonny. "Could you grab her some juice? I only have orange juice or lemonade. I hope that's okay."
"Lemonade sounds good. I love anything citrus."
Sonny made his way to the kitchen.
Nina's face lit right up. "So do I. I love the citrus family. I can't even go to sleep without my lemon ginger tea."
Willow smiled a little. "I drink that before bed too."
Sonny returned with the lemonade and Willow sipped at it.
"Well, I am completely stocked on lemon ginger tea," Nina said. "So, that won't be a problem." Nina shifted her feet awkwardly. "So, I have three bedrooms. If you want you could stay in the medium-sized room and Wiley and Amelia stay in the smallest. Or if you want Amelia to stay with you, that's fine too. Or you could even take my room if you want. It's the biggest."
"Oh no, that's okay," Willow said. "I'll be fine in the medium-sized with Amelia, and Wiley can take the small room. If Amelia sleeps with Wiley, he won't sleep."
"I better get going," Sonny said. "I need to pick up Avery from Girl Scouts. I hope you both have a good evening." He kissed Nina and left.
GHGHGH
Nelle tossed and turned in her room at Denver Springs. Her mind went to Morgan to Lin to her mother and sister to the baby she was carrying. And her thoughts kept going back to the baby in her dreams. Guilt flooded through her, and she didn't know why. It was like the baby boy kept calling out to her in those dreams. Was it her baby? Or was Bertha right that she was just longing for a child of her own?
Her eyes finally shut. The door opened and a man stood there, she couldn't make out his face. But clear as day, the sweet face of a blonde toddler sat in the man's arms.
"Hi baby, Mommy's here." Nelle reached out to him.
Soon she was sitting on the floor, building blocks and pushing cars with the toddler. He giggled at her when she tickled him.
But suddenly it all changed. The boy was slipping away and crying, "Mommy…."
Nelle was sitting in the living room of the Friends of Peace and Love. One by one, people began surrounding her—Luke, Lin, Bertha, the same faceless man, a faceless middle-aged woman, a faceless woman about her age.
Nelle jumped up and ran to each of them. "Please…. Where is my baby? Where is he? Who am I?"
Everyone laughed in response.
"This is your punishment," Bertha said, laughing the loudest. "For all of the horrible things you did to us."
Nelle bolted awake and rocked back and forth on her bed. That was different from her regular dreams. Maybe she was meant to be alone and never remember.
