A/N: This chapter ended up longer than I originally anticipated so I have therefore split it into two xD Slight reference to Bahamas in this chapter but it's nothing major, so don't worry if it doesn't make sense. Thank you for the reviews :D
~Mini Peacelet~
Born To Fly - Part 16
Nikki's hands were clamped tightly around the cool metal railings that edged the pavement as a barrier to prevent anyone from falling over the steep side and plummeting onto the shingle beach. It was a harsh contrast to her clammy palms, her eyes were scrunched shut, cheeks flushed a dark shade of pink as her heart raced and she attempted to catch her breath.
Thoughts were still whirling through her head. She wondered if Lenny was okay, if they had deciphered what he had consumed. Had it escaped that she had known about the illegal shots, yet failed to take appropriate action.
She had neglected her role as a responsible teacher. Just because, for once in her entire life, she was selfish enough to put herself and initial feelings first. And by doing that, she had majorly screwed up.
The rain was lashing down at a heavy rate now. But the brunette didn't care. She had barely noticed. Her clothes were soaked through, chestnut-brown locks saturated and dripping with water droplets. She was shivering yet completely ignored it. The thin material of her blouse stuck to her icy skin - like it was fused - translucent with being so sodden.
The roar of a super car accelerating down the street was becoming louder, the horn repetitively beeping as it approached nearer. Nikki implied that she was oblivious, displaying no indication that she had heard.
The engine simmered down into nothing, the only noise was the droplets of rain pelting down against the pavement and bouncing back up again. The door slammed and the piercing click of heels stalked towards the teacher.
"Nikki?"
The brunette twisted round to face the person who had called her name, pirouetting sharply on her feet as she was hauled from her intensely bitter trance. Her mascara and dark eye make-up was smudged and had leaked down her cheeks in smears. "Lorraine?" She murmured quietly, identifying the petite blonde who was now stood in front of her beneath a designer umbrella.
The multi-millionaire's expression displayed kind empathy, "Why are you out here?" She asked perplexedly, "You're freezing, come on. Come get into my car and we can talk." Gracefully, she extended her slender arm and placed it on her former lover's arm.
Her teeth chattered together powerlessly as her whole body shuddered violently, "I've messed up. I've messed up big time." Her azure orbs flickered around anxiously before she buried her face in her hands to conceal the tears that were brimming in her remorseful eyes.
"I'm sure it's not that bad." The blonde comforted confidently, "Come back to mine so you can dry off and get warm otherwise you're gonna catch pneumonia or something!" Her thick Cockney accent was dominant, her stubborn personality exhibited. It wasn't an offer, it was an assertive order.
Nikki reluctantly nodded and slung her handbag over her shoulder, following the short distance to the benefactress's Ferrari and slipped onto the Italian leather seat. Lorraine hopped back into her vehicle and rotated the heater up to full before stamping her foot on the accelerator and driving back to her penthouse.
"You were always stubborn." The brunette mumbled and broke the silence as she continued to think.
Maybe telling someone the events of today would have a positive impact. Because bottling everything was just generated unneeded stress. She knew that Lorraine wouldn't do anything regarding her confessions nor reprimand her irrational stupidity - she wasn't so sure that Christine would react the same as her headmistress head was never really completely put away these days and influenced everything.
Lorraine exhaled a soft laugh at the former army captain's remark as she halted in her luxurious drive and pulled the handbrake on.
She gathered Nikki some dry clothes and a towel and left her to change whilst she opened a bottle of wine. Amongst the garments the younger female had handed her, there was one of her hoodies that had been abandoned there on the morning of their break up. It just triggered more emotions to add to the jumble of feelings she was already battling. The teacher was already loathing her hormones, they appeared to make everything trickier and more confusing than necessary.
The brunette appeared in the lounge a short while later and obediently perched on the edge of the plush couch when Lorraine motioned for her to and passed her a generous glass of white wine.
Nikki politely thanked her but sighed forlornly, "Lorraine, I shouldn't really have this." Timidly, she deposited the crystal glass onto the table.
She really wanted that wine. The alcohol would be guaranteed to numb her guilt and emotions. But the baby constantly played on her mind, reminding her to be sensible.
The blonde furrowed her brow in puzzlement, "Why?"
"Uh..I'm pregnant." The English teacher explained concisely in a whisper, dipping her head momentarily.
There was a moment of silence, Lorraine pondering upon a response. She nodded and swallowed a large mouthful of wine slowly, savouring the lavish flavour, "Congratulations, I guess. Who's the lucky fella then?" Her eyes twinkled blissfully yet there was a hint of hostility and jealously in her tone as she glanced at Nikki's stomach and then the wedding ring on her finger.
"She.." Nikki corrected quietly, "Uh, it's Christine. The baby was conceived through IVF."
"Christine?!" She exclaimed. It was quite a shock. She had half expected the marriage to be to another female, but not Christine Mulgrew, "Sorry, it's just-"
"No, no." The brunette dismissed her apology understandingly, "I get it, but don't judge her until you get to know her. She's been a great person to have around and a wonderful wife." She praised softly.
"So, you were together and married when I last saw you in the Bahamas then?"
"No." The former army captain shook her head, "What we told you in the Caribbean was the truth. We got married when we got back." She clarified simply, "What happened to Annabelle?"
"Oh, she left. Our marriage didn't last long." Lorraine jerked her shoulders futilely and the older woman noticed her hesitance and didn't bother inquiring for my precise details, "You know, Nik, one glass of wine occasionally won't harm the baby." Nikki was visibly stressed and tense about whatever had happened and she just wanted her to relax. The stress could have worse consequences than the alcohol on her pregnancy.