Nina sat back on her sofa a cup of hot chamomile tea sat out on the table beside her. She tried to pay attention to the rerun of Family Feud playing on the television and ignore her irritation, but she was failing miserably.
She was a bit annoyed with Chibs at the moment. He'd been so damn distant for about three days now. She had called him of course when Sophie had requested to have one of their nightly talks.
Chibs had explained to Nina that he was tied up in club business and wouldn't be able to visit until it was all taken care of.
Yes he'd talked to their daughter but the conversation had seemed shorter than it usually was; more rushed. Nina was just thankful that Sophie hadn't been disappointed.
Still though three days could feel like forever for a child that young. Sophie was smart enough to notice Chibs' absence. She had become accustomed to his visits and his phone calls.
Chibs meant a lot to Sophie even if the little girl didn't know just who he really was.
The little girl had so many questions of course; When is Filip going to come visit us Momma? Can Filip come over and read to me before I go to sleep? Can Filip go to lunch with us? I miss Filip can he come see us soon?
Nina had felt so useless struggling to answer her daughter's questions. After all how was she supposed to explain to her little girl that her beloved Filip was tied up doing something more than likely illegal with the outlaw biker gang he was in, that he was too busy to pull away and come visit them?
Nina tried to tell herself that he couldn't just pull away from whatever he was doing. He hadn't really explained what he had been up to to her, but he'd seemed tense. So whatever it was that was keeping him away it was more than likely pretty intense.
A tiny voice in the back of Nina's mind kindly pointed out to her though that whatever Chibs was doing with the MC couldn't overrule his responsibilities to Sophie.
He was the little girl's father and being a dad meant being there for your child no matter what. Or at least doing your best to be there.
Nina feared that this would come to be a continual habit with Chibs; him going off for days not seeing Sophie barely staying on the phone with her.
Nina knew that when she saw Chibs again she would have to make a point to tell him that this couldn't become a pattern for him. He couldn't just disappear like this; jump in and out of Sophie's life. The girl needed consistency.
If Chibs disappeared like this too much then eventually it would break Sophie's spirit down; her trust in him. It would forever change the way Sophie looked at her father.
Children got their hearts broken so easily and if the heartbreak was big enough it could stick with them for life.
Nina knew that lesson well. All her life Nina had carried around dozens of little heartaches from her own mother's disappearing acts.
Miranda Diaz had been in and out of Nina's life.
When Nina was younger she had been excited about the visits. She had still been innocent enough to believe that her mom would stay or that Miranda would just take her daughter with her when she left going off to god knows where once again.
The older Nina had become though the more aware she had become of just how much of a letdown her mother's visits really were. Miranda only had an interest in Nina when she wanted something. She was a fair-weather parent.
Nina had always sworn that she would give more to her hypothetical children. She'd always sworn that any kids she might have would have a consistent relationship with both their parents.
Of course Nina had feared that perhaps she had screwed up that promise to herself by running away from Chibs and Charming when she had become pregnant.
She had given herself hope that she could keep that promise to herself now though; now that Chibs was back in her life, in Sophie's life finally.
Nina just prayed that Chibs didn't ruin her childhood promises to herself.; that he didn't break Sophie's heart.
Nina was pulled out of her daze when the familiar sound of the doorbell rang through out the living room.
She frowned wondering who would be showing up at her apartment at this hour of the night. It was almost midnight.
She stood up from the sofa hesitantly making her way over to the front door. She stood up on her toes peaking through the peephole a frown appearing on her face as she took in the last man she'd expected to see at this hour; Chibs.
Nina twisted her lips into a scowl her eyes narrowing at the sight of him. She was almost tempted to open the door and punch him right in the nose.
What the hell was he doing showing up at her doorstep at this hour of the night without even bothering to call or text her before he bothered to ride his bike all the way over here?
The scowl didn't fade from her face as she opened the door staring up at Chibs.
Nina spotted a troubled look in his eyes. It looked as though he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
She suddenly had the overwhelming need to take him into her arms and hold him against her; to do anything to make that look of defeat disappear from his face.
She held back the need to reach out and pull him against her her anger clouding over her pity. She clinched her jaw her voice tight. "What are you doing here?"
Chibs slumped his shoulders a bit moving the gift bag he was carrying into his other hand as he studied the look on Nina's face. She looked beyond pissed.
He tried his best not to admire her appearance. She had changed out of her work clothes and was now wearing knee length white spaghetti strapped bohemian style dress. She was barefoot and the gold nailpolish on her toe nails glimmered. She was wearing her favorite green agate rosary around her neck. She'd bought the rosary in Miami and loved it though she was no longer a practicing catholic.
Although she was furious at the moment Chibs couldn't deny that Nina looked gorgeous. Her wild hair was framing her face perfectly and her makeup was light only a bit of shimmery lip gloss on her lips.
He spoke up his eyes casting down ashamed to have shown up at her door at this hour. Maybe this was a bad idea."I wanted...I need ta see Sophie..to see both ya."
"It's midnight." Nina exclaimed staring at Chibs as though he'd sprouted a second head.
She let out an exasperated sigh crossing her arms over her chest as she spoke again. "You can't just drop in on me in the middle of the night like this. Especially considering you've pretty much been MIA for three days now...You can't just disappear like that...I mean what were you doing that was so important that you couldn't stay on the phone with Sophie for more than a few minutes?"
Chibs let out a heavy sigh his eyes turning back up to hers. He spoke up saying the one thing he knew that would explain his aloofness these past three days. "Jimmy O'Phelan."
Nina widened her eyes the name causing a chill to run through her body as she connected the pieces together.
Jimmy O'Phelan; the man who had so cruelly scarred Chibs' cheeks taking Chibs' family away from him and forcing him to flee Ireland.
She automatically felt the need to kick herself for being so hostile towards him.
She responded to him her voice small and somewhat fearful. "Are you in danger?"
Chibs was quick to shake his head as he spoke up struggling to express himself. He was almost afraid he would frighten her once he told her what he'd had to do. "No I'm okay...Jimmy is dead...I...I jus need ta see Sophie. It's been a long past few days and I jus need to see her...to know she's okay."
Nina nodded her head knowing that she would be an awful person to deny him their child when he was feeling this fragile.
She moved aside allowing him to enter her apartment. He did so placing the orange gift bag on the floor beside the door.
The pair stood in an awkward silence for a moment Nina struggling to force herself to apologize to him for being so irrate. Why'd she always have to jump on the defensive with him?
She pushed back her apology pointing off towards the hall leading to the bedrooms. "You know where she is...take as long as you need."
"Aye thanks Nina." Chibs replied so thankful that she was allowing him this.
He was being truthful. After the past few days he'd been through he was dying to see Sophie. He simply wanted to just see her in person for a moment; just to reassure himself that she was fine.
He made his way down the hall off to the room to the left. He opened the door leaving the lights off allowing the little pink fiberoptic light sitting out on Sophie's dresser to light up the room.
He was surprised to find that Sophie's room was just as clean as it had been the last time he'd visited. Nina didn't allow the little girl to have a mess of a room. Every afternoon Nina got the girl to clean up her toys and place them neatly back on her shelves and in her toy box.
Sophie seemed to take this task seriously; there was never a toy or a decoration out of place.
Chibs had to admire the little girl's cleanliness. She was certainly tidier than him. Then again wasn't Nina a bit of neat freak? Chibs wasn't sure if that type of thing was hereditary.
As he stared down at Sophie he felt as though he could breathe evenly for the first time in days. He knelt down beside her gazing down at her sleeping form.
It was the picture of innocence; Sophie curled up in her bed underneath her Barbie comforter. She was dressed in her white butterfly pajama set cuddling her Hello Kitty doll her dark curls pulled up into a high pony tail.
She wore little pink star shaped studs in her ears a product of the ear piercing she'd begged Nina for for months. Nina had gone to the mall and gotten the little girl's ears pierced not long before they'd moved to Charming.
Chibs took in every detail of her little face her long dark eyelashes, her little fists curled up tight, her lips parted as breathed softly.
He still couldn't get over how stunning she was; just like her mother. He could see little hints of himself in her though; her eyes, her dimples, and her nose which seemed to be a cross of his nose and Nina's.
He spoke up his voice low enough not to disturb Sophie. "I'm sorry I've been away for so long my wee love. Yer daddy loves ya so much lass. Don't ever think even fer a second that I don't."
He paused allowing himself to become a bit vulnerable as he spoke again. "I'm not a good man Sophie. I'm sorry that yer da isn't the most moral lad in the world. I do bad things...lots of em...I only hope ya won't be ashamed of me when yer old nough to understand. I messed up a lot wee love. I messed up things with yer ma...I treated her badly and I don't know if she'll ever forgive me fer it. I coulda had the world with ya girls and a I threw it away like an idiot."
He let out a shaky breath it feeling good to let this all out; all the worries and doubts and regrets that had been dancing around in his mind for weeks now. "I don't know if I'll ever get yer ma's love back...if she ever had any fer me to begin with. I'm goin to try though Soph. I promise ya love. I'm goin to try to be the man ya and yer ma deserve. Ya both deserve the best and that's what I'm goin to give ya."
He allowed himself to reach out hesitantly and tuck a stray strand of the little girl's hair behind her ear. He was almost frightened to touch her fearing he would wake her and probably startle her looming over her bed like this.
Chibs allowed his fingertips to press to the girl's warm rounded cheek lightly for just a brief moment the touch calming every single worry swirling around within him.
He would do whatever it took to be what his girl deserved. He would give Sophie all he had.
Chibs knew he couldn't let the girl down. He refused to allow himself to ruin this.
Nina stood at the hallway for a long while resisting the urge to follow Chibs.
She silently reminded herself that he deserved some alone time with their daughter. He seemed to need this so much.
She frowned her mind reeling over what he'd said to her just earlier. Jimmy O'Phelan was dead.
Nina felt a chill run down her spine realizing that the MC had to have something to do with Jimmy O's death.
It was the only thing that made any bit of sense. What else could have made Chibs so tense when she'd spoken on the phone to him just the day before?
She felt a wash of fear hit her realizing that if her suspicions were right that Chibs was a murderer, wasn't he?
Nina felt her feet moving quickly leading her off to her daughter's bedroom horrified by this realization.
She placed her hand on the pale wooden door leading into her daughter's room ready to open it and pull Chibs from the room.
Something stopped her from moving forward with this idea though. She took a deep breath realizing that Chibs would never harm Sophie or her.
She saw the way he looked at that little girl. He looked at Sophie as though he was thanking the universe for her, as though she was the most marvelous little thing on the face of this planet.
He would never lay a fingertip on that child.
Nina was so torn by her own thoughts. Chibs had more than likely murdered Jimmy O' hadn't he?
But wasn't Jimmy O' a monster? Only a monster could do the things that had been done to Chibs and his family.
But who was Chibs to play God, deciding if someone should die for their sins?
She knew Chibs wasn't exactly a boyscout when she'd slept with him that night hadn't she? But she hadn't really thought of what he was capable of.
Then again who was she to judge? Jimmy O'Phelan had caused Chibs so much pain. The man had taken the most precious thing in Chibs' world leaving him a horrible scar to remind him of this loss forever.
If she was in Chibs' shoes wouldn't she want Jimmy O' to die for what he'd done. She would want her revenge wouldn't she?
Nina could hear Chibs speaking softly on the other side of the door his voice so gentle and so full of love. "Yer my world lassie. Ya and yer half sister and yer ma are all I have. I know yer ma doesn't trust me and she's got her reasons not to. Yer ma is a good woman though...She's perfect and I hope yer jus like her when ya grow up...lord knows ya don't need to be takin after me love."
She pulled her hand away from the door it trembling a little as she made her decision.
Chibs wasn't a monster. Those words weren't the words of a monster. He would never hurt their child. She would have to trust in that. She would have to trust him.
She made her way back out to the living area her heart beating so quickly. His words were so sweet.
He truly did love their child. Nina knew she had to trust him.
Nina gazed down at the gift bag resting by the wall beside the door raising one manicured eyebrow as she noticed it for the first time. She shook her head ignoring her curiosity as she made her way to the kitchenette.
She busied herself rinsing out her tea kettle and boiling some more water for another batch of tea. Chibs looked as though he could use a relaxing cup of tea.
She couldn't think of anything that would be more soothing than a cup of chamomile tea.
She didn't even notice as Chibs finally left Sophie's bedroom making his way into the living area.
Chibs stood in the middle of the living room watching Nina as she stood over the stove watching the silver tea kettle heat up.
He was impressed with the apartment. It was nicer than what he'd been picturing when he'd found out that Nina and Sophie were living in a tiny apartment above Estrella's Tavern.
Gabriella Diaz had decorated the place to fit both her niece and her grand niece's personalities. It was filled with soft colors; dove grays, rose pinks, violets, ivories, and the occasional splash of black.
The sofa was a rosy pink and Nina had thrown a black throw blanket over the back of the couch making it look a little less girly.
There were white candles all through out the house on almost every surface and plenty of small potted plants; tiny bamboo, aloe, English ivy, and a bit of fresh cilantro that Nina was growing in the window seal in the kitchenette.
The dining room table was pleasant round white wooden thing with four wooden chairs around it all painted lilac.
The appliances all looked a bit old but they'd apparently been well taken care of to be still working in great shape. The coffee pot and microwave looked modern at least. He was relieved to see that the stove was electric and not gas. The beige fridge was tiny which was thankfully the perfect size for the small apartment.
He smiled as he realized that the fridge was covered with Sophie's drawings and pages from coloring books.
The television was modest it was an old box set tv and beside it was an impressive collection of dvds and cds. The dvds were mostly childrens films; plenty of Disney. The only grown up thing seemed to be a collection of romantic comedies. He scrunched his nose up at the sight.
He let his eyes scan the shelves curious about Nina's music tastes. He was surprised by what he found. There was a wide variety of music; Social Distortion, Dropkick Murphys, Joy Division, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Beyonce, Sonic Youth, Van Halen, Journey, and a ton of Salsa music cds.
He raised an eyebrow at the salsa cds apparently she liked to dance. He had to wonder if he could ever find a way to dance with her without stepping on her toes.
Chibs knew that he probably couldn't listen to most of what she had not counting the classic rock and maybe a bit of the Celtic Punk.
Chibs let his eyes scan the walls taking notice of all the artwork, paintings plenty of paintings. The art had been Gabriella's idea. It was all works that Nina had done.
Gabriella had been hoping to help inspire Nina to pick back up her art by placing the paintings on every surface possible.
Chibs tore his eyes away from an impressive row of paintings of intricate cherry blossoms on a blue and yellow background. The three paintings all connected to create one big picture. Nina spoke. "You looked like you could use some tea."
Chibs turned to Nina surprised to find her holding out a bright red cup filled with hot tea. He took it from her the little action easily making him feel at home. "Thanks lass."
Nina nodded over to the sofa as she spoke up. "Do you want to sit down...we should probably talk."
"Aye that's a good idea." Chibs agreed as they both made their way over to the sofa.
Chibs made sure to grab a hold of the orange gift bag he'd brought with him before he took a seat beside Nina.
He placed his cup of tea on one of the round wooden coasters sitting out on the big square black coffee table. He gently handed the bag to Nina deciding that giving her the gift would be a good way to start out this conversation. A peace offering would probably be needed. "I brought ya something."
Nina stared down at the large bag astounded by it. She'd honestly been expecting this to be another gift for Sophie.
Chibs had brought the little girl several things. Nina would scold him for it If the look on Sophie's face each time she opened one of these gifts didn't made Nina adore Chibs even more.
"You didn't have to get me anything...I mean I.."Nina blurted out not having the chance to finish her refusal as Chibs spoke up.
"I know I didn't. I wanted ta buy ya this. It's jus a gift lass...It aint goin to bite ya." He replied trying to make a joke with his last statement.
He was unable to stop himself from speaking again adding on to the joke. "I mean unless ya like that kinda thing."
Nina felt her cheeks grow a bit pink at the statement. Chibs took notice of it not helping but to find the action somewhat sexy.
He liked the idea of being able to make her blush like that. He could imagine himself whispering little dirty things into her ears her cheeks growing red as a tomato.
He pushed the thought back knowing that he didn't have the right to think of such a thing. She wasn't his old lady.
Nina cleared her throat her cheeks still rosy as she pulled the first thing from the bag. It was clearly some sort of book or perhaps a notepad. It was large and wrapped up in brown postal paper.
Chibs did his best not to chuckle as Nina carefully opened the gift tearing right along the tape as though she was going to save the paper.
He had to wonder if Nina might have a tiny touch of OCD. At least it wasn't as bad as Juice's OCD, Chibs thought to himself.
Nina was dumbfounded as she finally opened the gift revealing a large sketch pad. She knew the brand. It was an expensive brand.
She had used to admire this particular brand when she was in college buying her supplies for projects but she had never been able to afford this brand. The paper was high quality and thick. The thick paper was what made it so costly.
"This is too much Filip." Nina exclaimed her eyes growing wide as she realized that there was more in the bottom of the box; art charcoal and chalks, oily pastel art crayons, and several art pencils.
Chibs shrugged his shoulders not surprised that she was telling him this. "No it's not. Ya had to leave that part of yer life cause of me...Ya loved art. I want ya to find that passion again lass."
Nina stared up at him still in total shock. She took herself by surprise as she placed the pad gently back into the bag and embraced Chibs her voice a little higher. "Thank you so much Filip...this is amazing."
Chibs was unable to stop himself from wrapping his arms around her waist his eyes closing for a moment. He found himself easily imagining that this hug was more than just her thanking him.
He imagined that she was actually hugging him because she was his, because he was just a boyfriend giving his girl a nice gift.
Nina pulled away from him her cheeks flushing darker. She found herself staring up at him as he opened his eyes.
She let her eyes drift down to his lips remembering how amazing they'd felt against her those years ago. He was the best kiss she'd ever had. He was the best everything she had ever had.
Chibs stared down at her taking in everything about her; her gorgeous hazel eyes, her full parted lips, her flushed skin.
Nina closed her eyes knowing that she couldn't do what she so badly wanted to. She'd already promised herself that she would resist this.
Kissing him would just fuck everything up. It would complicate things.
She reluctantly pulled away her walls going right back up as she spoke. "So what happened...I mean these past few days...Am I allowed to know what you were doing?"
Chibs let out a heavy sigh realizing that she was closing up on him again. She had gone from staring at him looking so mindblowingly sexy to pulling away from him her arms crossing over her body as though she was trying to protect herself from him.
"I don't...Jus don't be friad of me lass...I don't wanta lose ya and Sophie." Chibs replied feeling defenseless as he realized that telling her the truth might scare her enough that she would disappear again, and this time it wouldn't just be her it would be their daughter.
Nina nodded her head knowing that she had to trust him. She had to trust that he wasn't some sort of sadistic villain capable of harming her or their child. "Okay."
Chibs nodded his head his eyes drifting to the floor afraid that if he looked at her he would see fear or hatred in her eyes. He couldn't bear her looking at him like that. "Jimmy was tryin to get into South America...payed some members of the Russian Mob to help him...He was lookin to escape the IRA...he fell outta favor with em and they wanted him gone...I...the club got to em made a trade witht the Russians...I had to kill Jimmy...I mean I did want him dead fer what he did to me."
Chibs paused placing a hand against one of his scars his fingers tracing them for a brief moment before he dropped his hand back out in front of him speaking again. "I had to make sure that he died...The only way my Kerrianne and her ma would ever be safe was if that bastard was dead...I don't wanta tell ya what I did...Jus know that I took care of him...I made things righ...I don't want ya to think I'm a horrible person Nina. I don't want ya to look at me like I'm some kinda devil."
Nina took a deep breath her mind going a mile a second. What should she do? Shove him away or accept him.
She took a deep breath knowing that she had to ask him something. She had to ask him this before she made up her mind. "You promised me that nothing would ever happen to Sophie and me...is that still a promise."
Chibs finally looked up at her so thankful that he didn't see disgust in her eyes. He did see a bit of fear but he knew that she had the right to be afraid given what he'd just told her.
He reached out hesitantly placing a hand over hers as he spoke. "I would never let a thing happen to either one of ya Nina. I swear on my life."
Nina nodded her head giving his hand a squeeze as she spoke struggling to put her words together; to express how she felt. "Okay...I'm...I'm trying hard here Filip. I'm trying to trust you. I..just don't hurt me...don't hurt Sophie."
"I would never hurt ya. I promise..I know I don't have the bes track record lass, but I'm tryin to fix my sins against ya." Chibs replied loving the feel of her hand in his.
He let out a sigh knowing that he had to explain the other thing that had happened today as well. "I might be busy fer a while lass. Half the MC is goin away fer a while...they got locked up fer some shite...I don't know how long they'll be down fer. So I'm goin to have a bit more fallin back on my shoulders. I won't let it pull me away from Sophie though I promise...I aint lettin anything pull me from the wee love."
Nina nodded her head believing him. Despite his recent disappearing act, she believed that he loved their child enough not to abandon her.
The words she'd heard from behind that closed door had assured her of Chibs' love for their daughter.
He was disappointed as Nina pulled her hand away standing up from the couch and going over to a bookshelf. He couldn't help but to admire her round backside as she bent down pulling a large photo album from the bottom shelf.
He shifted his eyes away from her butt just as she stood up and turned around.
She spoke as she sat back down beside him opening the photo album in bettween them. "I realized you haven't seen any of these...there's copies of each picture right behind the photos..You should take whatever you want...You deserve pictures of her."
Chibs stared down at the photo album in awe of what was below him; so many pictures of his Sophie at every age up until now.
He reached down running his hand along a picture of Sophie as an infant wearing a frilly light yellow dress. Nina smiled down at the photo peeking up at him for a moment swooning once again by the love in his eyes. "This was her first Easter."
She pointed over to a photo on the next page of the infant dressed as a bright red strawberry stripped green and white socks on her feet. Nina stood holding the girl wearing a pair of jeans and a plain pink tank top a smile on her face. "And this was her first Halloween."
He flipped through the photo album with Nina staring at each little photograph in wonderment; Sophie's first Christmas the little infant dressed in a red velvet Christmas dress, Sophie at two years old in a ruffled purple bathing suit standing out in a kiddie pool at some water park, Sophie at three in a red shirt and blue overalls clutching an Elmo doll, Sophie smiling wide at the camera at four at the carnival a comically big corn dog in her hand.
Each picture was more beautiful than the last and Chibs quickly realized that he wanted a copy of every single picture in the album.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so relaxed. Just sitting here with Nina seeing all these pictures of their girl was better than any feeling Chibs'd had in so long.
He stared down at a picture of Nina and Sophie at the beach the girls walking along the seashore a bucket in Sophie's hand as they collected seashells. He spoke up his voice so full of admiration. "You've done so wonderfully with her lass."
Nina gave him a sheepish smile a little surprised that he was gushing about her parenting abilities. Part of her had wondered if he would feel bitter seeing these photos knowing that he had missed all these little moments with Sophie. "I try...She makes it easy. Well most of the time she makes it easy. Occasionally Soph gets a little idea in her head and she finds herself in a mess though."
She paused pointing down at a picture of Sophie at three her hair chopped off in a funky manner. "Like here she found a pair of scissors in my bedroom and decided to play beauty shop. I caught her before she had a chance to do too much damage though."
Chibs chuckled a little at the photo as he spoke up. "Aye I said it once and I'll say it again kid migh have a bit of my genes actin out in er."
Nina laughed at the comment as she replied. "That's kind of frightening to know Filip."
"Aye jus wait till she's a teenager. I was a hellion when I was a lad." Chibs pointed out dreading the notion.
Sophie was probably going to be just as wild as him. Chibs just prayed that his girl didn't take after him with his tendencies to get on the wrong side of the law.
"I hate to ask how bad you were?" Nina asked curious about this part of him. She knew that they hadn't really discussed their childhoods.
Chibs nodded his head surprised that he felt so comfortable being this open with her. "I was a bad wee lad. We lived in a bad neighborhood and I used ta run rond with a pack of kids roun the housin estate. I had a habit of goin into local stores and...helpin myself to comic books and candy."
Nina felt a small smile develop along her face as she spoke. "So you were a mini shoplifter?"
"Aye and when my ma found out she swatted my arse into next week. She tried to reign me in but...as ya can see she kinda failed." Chibs explained a bittersweet feeling overtaking him.
His mother had tried to keep him in line, but little Filip had other plans.
Nina placed a finger underneath the side of his kutte lifting it a bit as she spoke. "What's mom think of this?"
Chibs gave her a half smile shrugging his shoulders as he spoke up. "This happened after she'd passed on...She wasn't too pleased with my love fer a free Ireland though...She accepted that at least before she died...I think it was jus more of known that I married Fiona and was expectin a child."
Nina felt like a jackass for bring his mother up automatically. She dropped her hand from his kutte as she spoke up apologetically. "I'm sorry."
"Aye it's alrigh lass...She was sick...and in a lot of pain. She's in a better place...probably up there scoldin me fer every move I make more than likely." He remarked shrugging his shoulders again.
Nina found herself staring at him her heart aching, She wanted to lean in a press a kiss to every bit of his skin. She wanted to do anything to take away that little look of grief in his eyes that speaking of his late mother had brought up.
She was pulled away from her inner battle not to kiss him as Chibs spoke. "What were ya like as a kid?"
Nina gave him a crooked smile as she spoke. "I was a good girl. My tia wouldn't allow any less."
Chibs chuckled knowing that she had a point. He couldn't imagine Gabriella allowing Nina to misbehave for even a second.
He was pulled out of his pleasant moment as his cell began to ring. He let out a huff as he shifted in his seat pulling it from his jeans pocket.
He let out a huff hearing Opie's voice on the other end of the line. "Are you okay man? You took off without saying anything?"
Chibs nodded his head not shocked that one of his brothers would be concerned that he'd just took off without a word, especially after a day like today. "Aye I'm fine brother...I'll explain it at the table next week. Are ya okay...after everythin?"
Opie let out a heavy sigh keeping his true feelings to himself. "Yeah I'm good."
Chibs managed to get Opie off the phone soon after that statement. He shoved his cell back into his jeans pocket as he spoke to Nina. "I'm tellin the lads in the club bout ya and Sophie as soon as I can."
Nina nodded her head the words slipping from her mouth without her even thinking. "I was afraid you wouldn't tell anyone about us at all."
Chibs reached out placing a hand on her cheek getting her to turn and face him as he spoke his voice firm and full of complete adoration. "I'd never keep ya a secret lass...I'm proud of Sophie. I'm proud to know that ya ave done such a wonderful job raisin er."
She let out a breath that she hadn't even realized she'd been holding in. It took all her willpower not to lean in and brush her lips against his.
She pulled away from him standing up from the sofa. "It's getting late...You can sleep here on the sofa...I mean if you want...It just seems late to leave."
Chibs nodded his head hiding his disappointment that she'd once again pulled away from him. "Aye thanks lass. Goodnigh."
"Goodnight." Nina murmured as she headed to her bedroom to gather pillows and blankets for Chibs to use.
She closed the door behind her leaning back against it her heart slamming in her chest. She had almost kissed him. She had almost kissed him more than once.
It was killing her to resist going back out there and kissing him right now.
This was becoming so complicated so fast.
She wanted him so badly and it scared her to death.
She let out a heavy sigh knowing that she had to figure this out and she had to do it fast.
Chibs was roused awake the next morning by Nina's voice scolding Sophie. "Soph baby back off away from Filip. He's asleep. Come here leave him alone so he can rest."
Chibs opened his eyes just in time to see an irritated looking Sophie being led away by Nina.
Sophie turned to peek at him a smile on her face as she spoke up. "You're awake Filip. Momma Filip is awake."
Chibs sat up on the sofa pushing the warm red comforter Nina had given him to use off his body.
He was thankful that he'd slept in his kutte. The last thing he wanted Sophie to ever see was the weapons he wore underneath it.
He stared at Sophie and Nina to see that both were still dressed in their pjs.
Chibs let his eyes scan Nina's body admiring the sight of her in a gray cami and matching pair of barely there shorts that were only covered by her pink cotton kimono. That was a sight he could get used to.
Nina gave him a small smile seemingly unaware that he was undressing her with his eyes, as she spoke. "She didn't wake you did she?"
"Nah I'm alrigh lass." Chibs replied finally tearing his eyes away from her full body.
He grinned at Sophie as the little girl tore away from her mother making her way towards him and kneeling down on the floor in front of him. "Did you have a sleepover with Momma. Momma sometimes lets me have sleepovers with her. We watch movies and eat popcorn."
Chibs reached out smoothing the girl's curls knowing that it wouldn't be appropriate to say that yes they'd had a sleepover.
If the girl decided to rely that information to anyone they'd probably take it as Nina and he having a different kind of sleepover.
He spoke up the story slipping out his mouth. "Nah ya see I had a real bad tummy ache. And ya know ma's are real good bout takin care of tummy aches so I came ta see yer ma. She helped me feel better."
"Did she make you drink the pink stuff?" Sophie asked her nose crinkling disgusted by he mention of the pink stuff.
Chibs chuckled decoding the pink stuff as more than likely being pepto. "Aye she did."
Sophie nodded her head convinced. "Momma is good at making me feel better too."
Nina struggled not to laugh at the exchange. She couldn't take her eyes off Chibs and their girl. It was times like this that Nina truly struggled not to give into her feelings for the man.
Chibs patted the sofa beside him as he spoke up. "Why don't ya sit and watch some cartoons with me lass. If yer ma hasn't started breakfast I'll start us up some pancakes in a second."
Sophie did just that crawling up on the sofa sitting close to Chibs.
Sophie stared to Nina speaking up. "Momma come watch TV with us."
Nina did just that unable to tell the girl no.
She had only been sitting down for a moment when her cell phone started to ring.
She scrambled up to get it and Chibs found his eyes once again wondering down to that wonderful backside of hers.
He noticed the frown that appeared on Nina's face as she answered the phone. She rolled her eyes as she spoke to the other person on the line. "Hey. What? I mean are you...you're sure...well okay...that's okay. No it's fine. I can find someone else...She'll miss you."
Chibs spoke as Nina hung up the phone looking as though she was developing a major headache. "Everythin alrigh Nina?"
Nina tossed her cell down on the kitchen counter as she explained her problem. "The woman that usually watches Sophie while I work is moving back to Seattle...her brother is...he's on."
Nina paused staring at Sophie relieved to discover that she was watching a old rerun of Carebears and then back to Chibs as she spoke again. "H-E-R-O-I-N. And she's gotta go home and take care of him. I won't be able to find a new babysitter until next Monday. I have to go down to the bar today to interview new staff. Our staff is mostly college students going to school out in Stockton, and they're all quitting to go home for the summer. I was going to let Sophie come downstairs with me today since the bar is going to be closed. I can't just take her down there and expect her to take care of herself though."
"I can do it Nina. I mean I can watch Sophie today fer ya. I'll sit down there while ya interview people. It won't be a problem." Chibs blurted out more than happy to jump to Nina's rescue.
Nina smiled once again amazed by Chibs. "Thank you so much."
Chibs stood up from the sofa making his way over to the kitchenette. "It's not a problem love. Now where's yer pancake mix."'
Nina felt her heart jump at the word love. That was new.
She pushed back the need to kiss him once again as she made her way over to the cabinet. "Right here."
She handed the box of pancake mix to him not helping to admire the way his arms flexed as he bent down and pulled a pan from underneath the stove.
She took a deep breath reminding herself that she couldn't have him. It wouldn't work.
She couldn't have him.
Chibs sat downstairs in the bar at a booth Sophie sitting close beside him coloring on some white printer paper Nina had given her to keep herself entertained.
Chibs found himself balancing talking to Sophie and watching Nina move about behind the bar most of the morning.
He had to admire how professional she was interviewing people as she stood behind the bar sipping a glass of Pepsi the red straw between her crimson lips.
She had worn a plain long black maxi dress that showed her curves wonderfully and she had left her hair down. She had worn her makeup a bit darker today mascara, cat eyes eyeliner, and crimson lipstick.
Chibs felt almost under-dressed in her presence given he was wearing the same thing he'd worn the day before; a beaten up pair of jeans, his boots, a long sleeved dark blue shirt, and his kutte.
Sophie had left her tiara at home which Nina was shocked to see she'd been doing a lot more lately. The girl had worn a pair of shorts and a shirt with the Little Mermaid on the front of it. Her hair had been left down a simple blue plastic headband in it.
Sophie kicked her legs her pink flip flops swinging from her feet as she sat comfortable close beside Chibs on the outside of the booth so she could get up as she pleased.
Most of the interviewees had been young women and Chibs had barely paid them any mind though a few of them had made googly eyes at him.
Nina had found herself none to pleased to see the way the girl's looked at him, but she held back the desire to jump across the bar and tear a chunk of hair out. Chibs didn't belong to her, she reminded herself.
She found herself feeling so conflicted about Chibs and she. She wanted him so much, but she was still frightened of getting hurt again. If she got hurt again it wouldn't just be her heart being shattered not when Sophie was involved.
She tried to tell herself that she should maybe just move on, but the idea seemed so damn painful.
Chibs was just as conflicted. He wanted Nina. He wanted to go home to her every night. He wanted to kiss her lips and make her smile and hold her in his arms at every opportunity.
He had battled actually falling to sleep the night before. All he'd wanted to do was march right over to Nina's bedroom knock on the door and kiss her until he passed out from lack of oxygen.
He knew that he had to make his move soon if he wanted her. He was worried that she would push him away though.
He didn't want to make things weird between the two of them. They were getting along so well now despite a few hicups along the way.
If things became strained between them it would just make things stressful for Sophie. Especially once she found out Chibs was her father.
Chibs didn't want to explain to the girl why daddy made momma sad.
Chibs found himself wishing that he had made his move last night as an attractive man stood at the bar with Nina interviewing for a job.
Chibs found himself on guard as he studied the man. He was a handsome man to say the least; tall, brown well trimmed hair, a strong clean shaven jaw, he was wearing a pair of dark jeans, a nice white dress shirt, and a leather jacket.
The man had to be in his thirties, he was fit despite his more understated appearance. Chibs stared down at the man's shoes frowning at the sight of expensive leather loafers.
The man raised an eyebrow at the biker babysitter before he turned his eyes to Nina. Nina stared down at the application the man had filled out as she spoke. "So Gregory you're applying for a job in the back? It's just a dishwasher position. I'm going to be honest with you it doesn't pay much."
Chibs clinched his jaw as Gregory peered at Nina through his dark framed glasses his dark eyes clearly admiring her body. "Call me Greg please. Greg Murrier. I don't mind the pay. I'm just looking for something to keep me busy until I can get my gallery all set up."
Nina widened her eyes at the word gallery "You run a gallery?"
"I own it actually. Are you an art fan?" Greg asked still admiring Nina's body.
Chibs did his best to ignore the desire to run over to the man and slam his head down onto the bar.
Nina remained unaware of Chibs' displeasure as she spoke her voice a little ecstatic. "I went to school for art...I had to leave unfortunately..it's a long story. I've lost a bit of my muse. But I've always dreamed of running a gallery."
The man gave her a smile as he spoke his voice a little flirty. "A friend of mine is having a show at a gallery in Stockton tomorrow night. You should come with me. She's a talented artist. I think you'd find her works gorgeous. You might be inspired to find your muse again."
Nina felt her stomach roll at this offer. Was he asking her out?
She found her eyes drifting over to Chibs conflicted on what she should say.
She felt her heart sink a little as Chibs didn't say a thing. A part of her had wanted him to speak up and tell this Greg that she was his.
Maybe Chibs didn't want her after all. The thought was upsetting to say the least.
Chibs clinched his fist wanting to run over to the bar and demand that this Greg prick leave right this instant and stay the hell away from his Nina.
He frowned at the thought his Nina. She wasn't his. He had waited to late to make her his.
Nina began to toy with a pen on the bar as she spoke. "I would love to but my daughter's babysitter just moved and I don't know if I'll be able to get her another one that quick."
Chibs cringed at the look of disappointment in Nina's eyes. He misread her disappointment as her being upset that she couldn't go to this gallery and not as her being upset that he hadn't made his move.
"I'll watch her lass. Ya go have yer fun." He blurted out the words painful for him to say.
If she wanted to go to this gallery with this guy then he had no place to stop her. She wasn't his. She would never be his.
Nina gave Greg a tight smile her heart sinking. "Okay then. I guess it's a date."
Both Chibs and Nina cringed at the word. It's a date.
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