Chapter 18.
Nick.
"This is a bad idea Miley,"
"It'll be great," She announced giving me a huge smile.
"No it won't be-"
"It will be, I promise okay?"
"I don't think great and my entire family having dinner can be put together."
Miley took my hand entwining our fingers as we walked along the busy street together, "I love this restaurant," She proclaimed a hint of excitement in her voice, "Jason used to bring me here so we could have cups of tea and cucumber sandwiches when I was like ten-"
"You know you're supposed to do that at The Plaza Hotel."
Miley instantly laughed looking at me rolling her eyes, "My Uncle at the Plaza hotel? You've got be kidding me Nick! He refuses to even enter fifth avenue unless there is some kind of serious criminal offence going down." She announced smiling cheerfully as I squeezed her hand,
"Yet he went and had tea and cucumber sandwiches with you?"
Miley laughed nodding, "It was about the time my aunt got worried I was attempting to become a little boy instead of a little girl, they decided to try and coerce me into becoming female again, so to speak."
"You as a tomboy? I can't see it Mi." I responded honestly.
"Well I'll show you the photos, baggy clothes, race cars, plastic guns, you name the boy toy and I had it Nick. That was until I saw this really cute necklace at Tiffany's, by my eleventh birthday it was hanging around my neck. Let's just say it definitely flicked a switch," Miley continued as my eyes widened and she just gave me a small smile. "Yes Nick I was a spoilt brat, what eleven year old has a tiffany necklace? Remember though my Aunt and Uncle at that point were literally trying to do anything to make me happy, it successfully got me some really awesome presents over the years."
I looked at her intrigued, "Like what?"
"A Gucci dress when I was fourteen, Chanel bag when I was fifteen, BMW for my sweet sixteen,"
My eyes widened in shock, "A BMW? In New York City? Do you ever even drive it?"
Miley scoffed shaking her head, "No it sits in it's beautiful parking spot for months, occasionally I'll take it out for a spin but getting anywhere around here in a car takes forever. It's practically pointless," She stated as we came to a stop at a pedestrian crossing, Miley reaching out pressing the button.
"But when I was sixteen is was socially expected that I have a car-"
"Don't tell me elite all girls private school?" I asked.
Miley nodded looking at me, "Hit the nail on the head."
I instantly laughed looking at her, "You don't seem them type though, I'm seeing a whole new side of you, miss filthy rich heiress!" Miley rolled her eyes staring across the road,
"It wasn't until I got the car that I realized money didn't buy me happiness though," She responded giving a sigh shaking her head. I watched Miley's eyes dart to her wrist moving her other hand to cover it gently, "I learnt the hard way that even if you have everything money can buy, it still isn't enough if you aren't truly happy. I dropped all my snobby friends who were nothing but a bad influence on me, decided to actually start studying and I got a good SAT score so I suppose that little rich brat is behind me now."
"Minus the BMW you still have and I will be driving soon,"
Miley rolled her eyes, "Oh come on! Your mom was a doctor! Like you-"
"Yeah a doctor who counted her money and spent it on herself, stupid-"
"Nick," Miley warned looking at me, "No fights tonight, you promised."
"I did, and I intent to keep my promise, my mother on the other hand."
Miley leaned up kissing my cheek, "You better Nick I might even let you sleep over tonight." I looked at her with raised eyebrows, "But only if you're good, understand?" She asked playfully frowning at me as I nodded,
"Fine,"
We crossed the road as we walked a few more yards until Miley stopped outside a small but very prestigious looking restaurant. I reached out grabbing the door for her as she smiled and walked in letting me reluctantly follow. A waiter instantly greeted us as Miley politely indicated that she'd made reservations. I mentally prepared myself as he motioned for us to follow him towards an already filled table. How had I ended up here? Well it seemed my girlfriend had already taken it upon her shoulders to solve my entire families issues by throwing a dinner. Miley didn't ask us to attend as such, she bluntly told my brothers and me that we would be going to dinner as a family, including all attached partners no matter what their relationship status was.
Miley instantly froze up as I almost slammed into her back,
"Kevin has a girlfriend?" She hissed turning to me,
"Wife actually,"
"Wife? You didn't tell me he had a-"
"Nick darling!" My mom's voice radiated across the room
I instantly felt anger emerging hearing the devil's voice as I sent Miley a look of dread only for her lips to slowly turn into a smirk. I felt myself stiffen seeing the redneck my mom was engaged to perched in a tux beside her grinning with a beer in his hands, while my older brother sat proudly alongside his wife of three years. Mom instantly stood up and in one quick motion pulled me into her arms, as I stood their not reciprocating her fake love,
"I'm so happy we could do this Nicholas"
"I'm sure you are mom,"
I felt fingers pinch my side as I squirmed and Miley shot me a glare, "Be nice!"
"Mom this is Miley, my girlfriend who you've already-"
"Let's not remind her Nick." Miley cut in offering her hand, "Hi it's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Jonas-"
"It's Doctor Miller actually, I don't go by my past husbands surname like my children do." Mom interrupted insulted looking down at Miley her lips pursing together as she motioned to her country bumpkin, "Soon to be Dr. Denise Harrison actually, this is my fiancé Robert-"
"I thought your name was Bob." I interrupted,
Mom turned glaring at me with blackening eyes as the man stood up his napkin falling to the floor in the process, "It's Bob for short," He stated giving me a smile offering his hand, "It's a great to finally meet y'all, your mom has told me so much about you and your brothers actually."
I took his hand in mine shaking it, "Well I suppose congratulations are in order"
"That they are Nicholas, we are still waiting for a congratulations card." Mom announced.
She stared at me and I smiled at Robert, "Sorry must have got lost in the mail,"
He just nodded dropping my hand as Mom looked at Miley, "What a flattering dress Miley, it's lovely to see you in attire this time." I glared at my mom feeling sick as I turned to Miley expecting to see embarrassment on her face, but instead she seemed completely relaxed,
"What can I say? Your son certainly has a charm about him,"
"That he does," She murmured looking at me almost smirking, "And a reputation of being quite a ladies man-"
"Mom," I hissed at her,
She just looked at me opening her arms, "What honey? I'm sure your lovely girlfriend already knows about your many-"
"Okay, Miley this is Kevin you already know him and his wife Danielle." I cut off staring at my mom whose eyes were locked on what Miley was wearing tearing her appearance to shreds,
"It's nice to meet you Miley, it's great that we could do this." Danielle announced,
Miley nodded in agreement squeezing my arm, "Well Nick's told me such much about you all and I thought with everyone presently in town it would be great time to have a family dinner, so I could get to know everyone." She lied.
"That it is, but we seem to be missing-"
"We're here!" Joe suddenly yelled,
The entire table turned as Joe literally bounded into the room. My mouth dropped noting the woman he was dragging along behind him. My eyes widened as I just stared at a flustered Demi who was attempting to flatten her hair as they both abruptly stopped in front of Miley and me,
"Demi?" I hissed,
"Hey," She murmured as Miley and me both stared at her,
"You're his-"
"You said I could bring anyone!" Joe announced simply.
Miley instantly grinned and pulled Demi into a giggly hug without another word as I watched the girls exchange whispers that I didn't want to attempt to understand. I shook my brother's hand taking my seat as the rest of the introductions were made, and finally everyone settled into an almost normal family conversation. Miley was politely making small talk with my soon to be step father about his farm, I was trying to find out exactly what kind of relationship Demi and Joe was in while Danielle and Kevin were stuck speaking to mom about her upcoming nuptials.
It was only as we ordered that I noted my mom's eyes watching Miley intently an almost curious sparkle in them, only for her to look away almost instantly when she saw I'd caught her red handed. It was when I yet again captured my mother looking at Miley with a prying look that I knew I had to say something,
"Mom why are you staring at-"
It was at that moment my phone started ringing as instantly everyone looked at me, I gave an awkward laugh quickly getting it from my pocket trying to read the name on the screen.
Com. Stewart
"Who is it?" Miley asked placing her hand gently on my leg,
I looked at her and at that phone sighing, "I got to take this," I stood up giving everyone an apologetic look, "If you'll excuse me for a moment,"
Before my mom or Miley could detest I walked away pressing accept confused,
"Sir?"
"Nick I hope I haven't caught you at a bad time,"
I closed my eyes realizing Miley clearly hadn't told him about tonight for some unknown reason, yet another secret she with held from him. "No Sir of course not what can I help you with?"
"Next week."
"Next week?"
"Think about in Nicholas, today is September the-"
"Fifth next week will be September…oh."
"Exactly, look I'm sorry to push this onto you but I attempted to float the idea of Miley attending the memorial with me next week." He announced as I nodded looking over to find Miley now speaking to Danielle, her lips in a truly happy smile "Her response was the same as every year before, I'd been optimistic for anything but a no, she's determined not to go but I was wondering if you could press the idea with her."
"Sir if she doesn't want to go-"
"She's never been to a memorial her entire life, you said she needs closure I think that would be a good place to start in the morning and if she's ready by that afternoon you could bring her here and I'll…" He trailed off as I realized the plan he was hatching, and as much as I didn't want to agree it was a very good idea.
"Okay I'll convince her to go, but I think it should be with me not you."
He fell silent as I gave a sigh, "Look Sir I have to go, but like I said to you, you're a reminder of her parents you will give her sympathy, if I go-"
"Fine, tell me the verdict." He spat.
With that he hung up as I let out a sigh shaking my head, that man, he was going to be the death of me. I quickly relaxed my expression, attempting to wipe all evidence off my face as I returned to the table with a small smile across my face. I sat down as Miley's hand moved onto my knee and she looked up at me,
"Everything okay?" She asked simply,
I leaned down kissing her lips, "Everything is perfect,"
Miley.
"So you work with Nicholas Miley, you're an officer too?"
Doctor Denise Miller looked at me with a small sweet smile across her face, her head tilted to the side in an almost innocent pose, yet her eyes said otherwise. I'd seen Dr. Miller looking at me all night, judging me off first impressions and she'd made it very clear to me through those orbs that I was never going to be good enough for Nick because to her I was just another one of his brainless dates.
"Yes I am, with Demi too," I announced.
"Why would you choose such a dangerous career path?" She asked looking at me almost like a intrigued child yet with ulterior plans in her eyes, "I mean you're a pretty girl surely you could have done something more sensible."
"Mom I don't-"
"It's fine Nick," I stated squeezing his leg as he looked at me frustrated,
"It's funny you should mention that actually, I was only asked that very question the other day." I proclaimed sipping my soup staring directly into Denise's eyes knowing you must face the devil if you intend to understand it's motives, "After I sent my applications in to what seemed like a hundred colleges, and received a few back-"
"To which colleges?" She interrupted rudely, "I went to Colombia-"
"Well I got in there, and Harvard."
Her eyes instantly widened the small smirk falling a littler, "Oh really?" She murmured as I couldn't help but smile proudly that I'd just put her back in her place,
"As I was saying I got my acceptances and as my family celebrated I just didn't feel right, I didn't want to sit in a classroom and learn material that would get me a job, when I wanted to change peoples lives. So I decided that the academy might be a better alternative, I considered the military but let's just say my family weren't exactly willing to let me put myself into such a dangerous position, nor were they that keen on the force honestly but they've come to terms with it only recently which is good."
"So you are the first to be in the force, what do your parents do?"
Nick instantly tensed beside me as his hand covered mine but I knew I could deal with this, with him here it didn't feel so bad anymore.
"Oh no my whole family was in the force."
"Really?" Demi asked looking at me, "You never told us that!"
"You never asked Dem," I responded smiling.
"So are your parents retired?" Kevin asked intrigued,
Nick's spoon dropped heavily into the bowl as I stared into my soup feeling emotions sweep into my veins heading for my heart, "No they died when I was eight in the line of duty," I announced looking up as instantly the smiles dropped and I was faced with the ever present sympathy that I was always faced with,
"Oh my god Miley," Dem whispered looking at me.
"I'm so sorry," Robert murmured shaking his head,
"It's okay, I'm sure I'm making them proud following their footsteps."
"You are." Nick confirmed looking at me, "And you're making me prouder of you every day Miley."
"Awww," I heard Demi giggle,
I stared towards him feeling a small smile come to my face as he just looked at me welling with pride. I wished I could have told Nick that it was him who gave me this strength, to speak, to think and not be clouded by the often crippling feelings my parents evoked in me but I decided now was not the time.
"Smiley,"
My head shot up at the name I hadn't heard in so long as I looked at Denise whose eyes stared at mine bewildered, "Your Smiley, aren't you?" She whispered shaking her head in shock as I watched the women's lip quiver, "You're Leticia and Billy's little girl?"
My eyes widened as I spun to Nick feeling my anger seep towards my mouth only to see him staring at his mom confused, he hadn't told her? Then who had?
"What as in Leticia and Billy Stewart?" Kevin asked giving a small dry laugh,
The small smile fell from my mouth in a second as Kevin's laugh slowly faded abruptly stopping, as there was deadly silence for a few seconds. I was frozen though unable to speak, to look at them in fear of what I knew I would see. The confusion grasped at pounding mind, while the strings my heart was attached to were yanked so quickly and violently I didn't know how to respond.
"Wait Billy Stewart as in Commissioner Stewart's brother, you're his niece?"
I swallowed scared looking up to see their eyes, all of them staring at me, watching and analyzing to see how I reacted. It was like my parents funeral all over again, the sympathy, the pain, the hurt and this time the surprise lacing their eyes and now solemn expressions. At my parents funeral I had no choice but to endure the agony of emotions within me, because there was no where I could run, but this time it was different and my heart acted trying to escape the fear before my mind could begin to understand the consequences of my actions.
I pushed back my chair dropping my napkin and rushed towards the restrooms wanting to rid myself of the pain and the paralyzing fear. I threw open the door clutching my chest, the breath I'd been holding in releasing in chocked gasps. I covered my mouth terrified feeling ill at the thought that I'd yet again I'd turned everyone's smiles into feelings of sadness. That's all I'd ever do now. I'd tried so hard and now all my progress was gone because tomorrow I'd walk into the office and the sympathetic eyes would just watch and continue to do so for the rest of my life.
I refused to look in the mirror, scared of what I'd see in my own eyes as I grabbed onto the taps turning one on full blast throwing water on my face to try and calm my panicked breathing and swirling stomach,
"Miley?" Nick murmured outside the door,
"Miley, talk to me…"
"Miley?"
His voice sent my body to tense up, it had been going so well and I'd ruined his family dinner. I'd ruined it.
"Miley please come out," He whispered, "It's gonna be okay,"
I pushed my hand through my hair as I heard the door creak open and I spun seeing a face I didn't expect. I instantly straightened my body, closing my mouth as I looked at Nick's mom,
"I'm so sorry," I started closing my eyes, "I didn't mean to cause a scene I just…"
I opened my eyes looking at her blank expression watching me, "I didn't expect you to know me, I…" I felt my lip quivering as I looked away, "I didn't mean to ruin this for you, I thought it would be a good idea because I never got the chance to do this with my family and…" I pressed my hand to my head, "It was a complete mistake I'm sorry I-"
I never finished my sentence as a hand was placed on my back and I let one sob escape before Denise pulled me into her arms. I was instantly overwhelmed by the flowery perfume she wore, it smelled like one my mom used to wear as my body instinctively relaxed. Denise sighed holding onto me, her grip tightening as she sniffled,
"I can't believe you're dating my son, of all people he found you again."
She released me as I looked at the single tear rolling down her face. "Your father and my husband used to work together Miley, I was friends with your mom we used have play dates with you and Nick he hasn't told you?" I shook my head as I wiped my nose, and she moved her hand up gently to my face,
"You look just like them you know?"
I looked at her as her lip quivered, "I never should have said something, you were always an emotional little girl crying at the drop of a hat I should have known better than to say anything. Especially seeing as not everyone knew, I guess it's easier to pretend your someone else than be Destiny anymore right?" I looked at her and nodded truthfully,
"You're still are grieving them?"
I nodded again as she looked at me, "Trust me sweetie, you never stop, not when someone you love is taken from you so violently."
"Do people stare at you?" I asked, "With sympathy-"
She nodded, "All the time, especially Nick, he's the worst and I don't think he even knows he does it sometimes." I looked at her confused as she smiled at me, "But once you need to accept that's just the way death happens, and even though the sympathy is always there I believe people slowly forget even if you don't."
"How long will it take them to forget?"
She smiled at me sadly, "That all depends on how long you keep making them think about it,"
"I don't understand,"
"You will," She announced holding out her hand, "Now I want you to take a deep breath, walk out with me and take my son somewhere that can make both of you happy and end the night on a good note." I looked at her and nodded reaching out,
She took my hand staring at me, "I'm here for you okay, I know everyone has probably said that to you but if you need to talk I'll be here."
"You'd be surprised then, hardly anyone has said that to me. So why?"
"Because your mom was a fantastic person Miley, and she loved you so much." Denise announced her voice shaking, "If she'd been here tonight and seen what I had she would have felt so terrible that she couldn't help you, and I know that if she can't then your mom would want me to do the best I could."
"I think Nick's already got it covered," I responded as she smiled raising her eyebrows,
"I have mom," Nick's voice announced from outside,
"Not all matters can be discussed with your boyfriend," She whispered to me,
I nodded in agreement as she opened the door and I was instantly pulled into a hug, as I let myself relax completely and fall into Nick's protection.
"Let's get out of here, anywhere you want."
"Ice cream?" I murmured in his ear,
"Sure,"
Nick let go of me and moved his hand to my cheek, as his eyes looked behind me. He gave a small thankful nod as I turned to see Denise walking away. Nick leaned forward kissing my head,
"I may have forgotten to mention we once knew each other?"
I groaned looking at him, "Thanks for telling me now!" I spat frustrated.