Laurels

Chapter Two

Previously:"Don't worry about Eva or me." Jarrod answered, though he failed to hide the twinkle in his eyes as he answered just as Victoria-who had heard part of the conversation, entered the living room. However, before she could say anything the front door opened and Nick walked in. Each and every one of the Barkleys' eyes widened and a thousand questions ran through their mind as they saw the child in his arms and the young black haired woman by his side.

~oOo~

Neither Nick nor Hannah was surprised by the shocked expressions upon his family's face…or the profound silence that instantly fell upon them. However, Nick had no intention of simply waiting for his mother or any member of his family to start asking questions before Hannah had a chance to lay Chad down for another nap. The child had actually slept very little and had started getting rather ornery just before they arrived at the ranch. He dared say the only reason Chad was quiet now was because he was afraid; Nick could tell that much by the way Chad practically flew from his arms to Hannah's.

"Silas," Nick said as their faithful servant descended the stairs. "Would you show Hannah up to the old nursery and show her where the linen is? There will be plenty of time for proper introductions once Chad is asleep."

While stunned to see Nick with a woman, one with a child in her arms, Silas did not show it. He simply smiled politely and answered, "Yes, sir, Mister Nick. This way ma'am," Silas nodded towards the stairs.

"Like Nick said, my name is Hannah, feel free to use it." Hannah smiled as she held Chad close and followed Silas up the stairs.

Only when the three had disappeared around the corner and into the hallway did Nick turn his attention to his family. The fact that annoyance, confusion and a bit of simmering anger showed in all their eyes didn't surprised him in the least. He headed straight for decanters and glasses that sat in their usual places. He was glad that one of the decanters had whiskey in it; he needed a drink.

"Well," Victoria folded her arms and-thinking the apple had not fallen far from the tree- threw darts her son's way. "Do you have something to confess?"

"He's not my son" came into Nick's mind, but for now he forced himself to keep that thought to himself. Nick turned and looked at his mother and family, "I never knew Chad existed before I stepped off the train in Wyoming." "At least that's the truth, even if they will assume I'm making an unspoken confession'. "His name is Chad Jonathon." 'Not only could he pass for my son, but he has my middle name as well. How lucky, or unlucky, is that' was another thought he kept to himself. Nick reached into his vest and pulled out a folded piece of paper and, stepping forward, handed it to Jarrod. "Do you need anything else to add Barkley to his name?"

Jarrod said nothing as he took the paper, unfolded it and looked. He had expected it to say something along the lines that Nick was the child's father and that he wanted the boy to have his last name. Instead it simply said 'To Whom it May Concern, Chad Jonathon's last name should be Barkley. Signed Nicolas Jonathon Barkley' Nick had also dated the note. Like their mother, Jarrod figured Nick was not happy about being 'caught in the act' as it were, but was doing what he could to make things right. For that, Jarrod had to give him credit.

"Well?" Nick folded his arms and prepared for what he feared might be an inquisition of sorts.

"This will do." Jarrod folded the paper back up and put it into his shirt pocket.

"So, what's going on? Who is she? Why have we never met her before? Where did the two of you meet?" While Audra was thinking along the same lines as Jarrod and Victoria, she wasn't willing to wait for her brother to offer some answers.

Nick looked at his mother. While he could still see annoyance and confusion, he could also see disappointment; that hurt more than anything. How he wanted to explain everything and that there was no need for any disappointment, but he couldn't. Not yet anyway, "Her name is Hannah Ackers, and you will meet her at dinner, along with getting some of the answers I know you all want." 'Not all, but some' Nick thought as he turned and poured himself another shot of whiskey and gulped it down. He then turned and faced his family once more. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go check in on Hannah and Chad." He started to leave and then stopped. Turning back, he looked at his family and said in an uncharacteristic low tone of voice, "I won't blame you if you stay mad at me for a long time, but please, don't take it out on the boy or Hannah." He then exited the room and climbed the stairs, and disappeared into the hallway.

Victoria, still feeling a thousand emotions, sat down on the sofa. Audra quickly joined her. "I'm a mother in law and a grandmother; I should be thrilled and shouting for joy, but…" she glanced towards the stairs. "I can't believe this is happening. Sure, he's always had a wandering eye, but we've always known who he's seeing. Or," she sighed as she said, "I thought we did."

Jarrod and Audra both sat next to their mother, one on each side to give her their support. On the other hand Heath, who had been watching Nick closely the whole time he'd been addressing the family, quietly left the room and headed upstairs. He had a brother he wanted to talk to.

When he reached Nick's room, the bedroom door was wide open and his hot tempered brother was unpacking. Since Hannah was not with him, Heath assumed she was with the boy. Heath knocked on the door and stepped inside.

Nick turned his head and watched Heath enter, and then went back to unpacking. "If you want to hit me across the chin or something, feel free to. It won't make me say anything more than what I've already said."

Unlike the others in the family, Heath just knew there was more going on than just his brother showing up with a wife and son. A part of him wanted to demand that Nick tell him what all of it was really about. However, the larger part of him wanted Nick to know someone had his back no matter what. "Not goin' hit you, just wanted you to know I'm here if you need me."

Nick froze mid air, his best shirt draped over his arm. "Why did I ever fight Heath being part of the family?' Nick thought as he smiled wide. "Thanks, Heath. We'll see you at supper."

Heath said nothing, but he threw Nick a crooked smile and then turned around and walked back out the door.