Chapter 23

"Intermission"

I don't know what time it was as my eyes fluttered open to the new day. I found Niko asleep in my arms, wearing the same clothes he had on all day yesterday. He smelled of alcohol and smoke. It was offending my sense of smell holding him so close to me. I must have wrapped my arms around him in my sleep and now he has me pinned down on the couch.

My brother opened the door to their bedroom and looked over at us. His look made me recall what happened last night. I grabbed Niko's shoulders and tried to shake him awake, despite me knowing he had night terrors. Atleast if he did try to attack me, I had my brother to help me this time.

"Niko! Niko, wake up!" I shook him harder.

"He's out cold."

"Did you see what time he came home?"

"Nope. I went to sleep before you."

"I got home at 5." Niko said with his eyes closed. "I got no sleep at all.

"I thought you were asleep. How much did you drink that you didn't respond to me?"

"I didn't drink. I had water. I had to stay sober to take Kiki home and to make damn sure she didn't get me in bed."

"Smart thinking. What did you two talk about?"

"She mostly asked me to get back with her. I didn't give her a yes or no answer. I'll tell her no once this trial is over."

"Do you want to go to sleep in bed? I can help you get ready."

His eyes opened slowly. They looked bloodshot and it seemed it was a difficult task just to keep them open. I figured he'd need a little help getting cleaned up again so he can rest all day from being awake almost all day.

"No. I'll manage. I think if you help me, there will not be any helping at all." He smiled at me even though he was lackluster.

I guided him to the bathroom. If he refused help, it was the least I could do for him. I started the shower for him as he took off his cigarette scented tuxedo. I took it from him to have it all laundered and ironed for the next trial. He gave me another smile and stepped inside. I closed the door and asked Karen where the laundromat was.

"We have a laundry room downstairs. We don't need to go to the laundromat. Is that Niko's suit? It smells like crap."

"Well, he had it on all day, and it was at a bar, so cigarette smoke got all over it."

I was shown the basement of the condo by Karen. It came as a suprise to me how large the condo was. We really didn't go into an extensive tour through it. I tossed his clothes in the washer and made sure it was in the right treatment according to the special washing suggestions of the tuxedo. I didn't want his only available tuxedo to shrink. I supposed if that did happen, we could contact Roman to get him another outfit. Then the idea hit me. I should call Roman to see if he could in fact do that. Going to multiple court dates wearing the same tuxedo wouldn't give the people the right impression about him. He really did take a pride in his appearance. Even though when I met him, he claimed that that style rubbed off on him.

I kept it quiet as he crawled into bed. I gave him a quick kiss on his cheek to wish him a good rest. He turned my simple kiss into a rather heated one when he turned his head to meet my lips. His sneak kiss took my breath away as I felt a small gasp escape. His lips formed a smile as his lips worked against mine in a sensual kiss.

We broke apart to stare at each other. I looked at him with a burning lust and he looked at me with a fading sleep. He loved to tease, but how dare he leave me like this?

I scolded him as he laid his head down on his pillow. He smiled one last time and closed his eyes. It was the same playful smirk he continued to have as I watched him sleep from the arm chair.

Karen knocked softly and entered the room. She found me nodding off in the chair hours later after Niko laid down.

"Sharon, wake up. It's noon. We're ordering out. Do you want anything to eat?"

Niko let out a deep snore and he turned over in his sleep. I looked at Karen threateningly as she spoke a little too loudly.

"Don't wake him. You're speaking too loud."

"He can't hear me." She tested. "What do you want to eat?"

"I don't care." I crossed my arms like a toddler. I was sure she woke him up.

"Fine. We're ordering from a Thai place. I'm going to get you whatever."

"Fuck this bitch." I thought as she turned to leave.

"Come here, Sharon." Niko said from the bed.

"I knew she woke you up." I came to the edge of the bed and looked down at his resting form.

"I wasn't even asleep. I can't sleep."

His speech had a dry tone to it. He rolled over to face me and sealed his eyes up tight as the fishline sunlight found his eyes.

"Never fails to blind you, eh?" I tittered as he groaned with disappointment.

"All I want is to fall asleep for an hour."

"You've been awake this entire time? Why didn't you say something? I could have helped you."

"I honestly didn't know you were still in the room until you said something to Karen." He started to arouse more and sat up in bed. His sleep wear somehow came off his body. It's strange, I never heard him shuffle to take anything off.

"Do you normally sleep naked?" I blushed a little. I still don't really know what his sleep habits are.

"Sometimes. I'm not totally naked. I have boxers on." He lifted his blankets to show me.

"I guess Karen's ordering from some Thai place. Are you hungry at all?"

"Starved. Did she order yet?"

"I don't think so."

I darted out of the room to see if it was too late to add his order. She had already called and placed the order minutes before I asked. It was one of those easy order menus where you could order by number so it only took a few seconds. I cursed inwardly at her carelessness for Niko. I hoped that whatever she ordered, Niko liked because I was sharing mine with him.

Our food came roughly fourty five minutes later along with some 2 liters of soda. I looked at what Karen ordered me, and in all honesty, it looked like someone fished out something from a lake and threw it in a container and called it edible. I thought for a second that it still was moving.

"Is this some joke?" I asked with a hint of rejection.

"What? You didn't say what you wanted, nor did you care. So, I ordered a random number and this is what you got."

"There's no way I am eating this!"

"Then starve. I asked you what you wanted and you acted like a child. Therefore, you got whatever I ordered. You should have looked at the menu."

I squished my face in anger as my brother ate something that looked really good. He chewed slowly, seemingly in thought.

"There's enough here to share with you." He offered rather cheerfully.

"But I was going to share what I ordered with Niko. He's not going to eat this. And there isn't enough there to share for three people."

Niko emerged from the bedroom following his nose to the kitchen. He looked like a zombie as he approached with the sleep atire back on and in his bare feet.

"What the fuck is that?" He poked whatever was in the container with the plastic fork. "Looks like something from a sewer."

"That's basically what I compared it to. Karen thought it was funny to order us swamp water." I sounded like a taddletaler.

"Well, since Karen is still being a bitch, how about I make us something?" He offered.

"There's next to nothing here besides a half a loaf of bread, a couple of eggs, less than a gallon of milk, and some stale potato chips."

"That's perfect." He said and turned the stove top on.

I wondered what he had planned as he cracked the rest of the eggs on a cereal bowl. He used the rest of the milk, pouring it in another bowl. I got the idea that he was making french toast. I didn't mind it at all. Breakfast for lunch? I was actually surprised that he whipped up something so quickly.

I waited at the table while he prepared the brunch. There was no syrup, but that was okay. He hummed a tone while he monitored the french toast. I could get used to this. He was preparing food for me, being the good guy he was.

I played on my phone when I started smelling the food. I lost track of time when he placed a plate of french toast.

"You don't mind we share a plate, do you?"

"Absolute not. We share almost everything else. Why not a plate?" I started to cut off a piece when he sat down. They were really fluffy and they tasted good. He was a really good cook, and that made me think he was so much more worth it as I dealt with all that's gone on.

"How are they?"

I had a mouth full of food and simply nodded my approval and gave a thumbs up. He smiled and took another bite.

"Needs syrup, but they're not bad."

My brother was peeping over at us as we ate. I could tell he wanted what we had. A home cooked meal was undoubtedly better than delivery.

He stood up, taking our plate to the sink when we finished and headed back to the bedroom. That really hit the spot. I could only imagine his french toast all dressed up with the proper additives like syrup, powdered sugar, whip cream, and strawberries on top. I mentally drooled as it came to mind.

I decided to get myself cleaned up for the day. Niko was still in the shower. I itched to be with him, but I supposed he'd want his peace and quiet. I set out some clothes aside for myself and I turned on the television. It had cable which it was nice of the agency to hook us up. The news channel reported 'foul play in the case of Serbian case.' I paid attention to the report as they had questions for one member of the jury.

She was asked if she knew the plaintiff and she said she dated him off and on for a while. Her next question was if she worked with him, and she denied any dealings with him. When she was asked what sort of work he did, and she said she didn't know what he did. She denied knowing he killed people when she was well aware what he did. She was fearful in admitting being associated with the plaintiff because she thought she'd go to prison.

I couldn't believe this woman, making it seem like the trial was all about her. I assumed each woman Niko dated, he told them what his source of income was. He told me eventually that he was into the criminal scene and I was to debate dating him or not.

Niko came out of the bathroom looking all freshened up and much more alert after having food in his belly. He made a face at my choice of television.

"Why are you watching this for?"

I fumbled the remote. I tried to change the channel so he didn't have to think about court.

"Uh, I just turned it on. I didn't know this was on."

He sat down on the bed and played with my hair. My head magnetically attached to his chest and cooed into his warmth and scent. He chuckled and I felt his chest shake.

"Do we have any plans today?" I asked in a monotonous tone. He was so comfortable.

"There is nothing planned for today. We can't do anything too busy."

"So, it's like we're on house arrest?"

"No. We can go out to eat or go shopping or something." He traveled.

"Can we go shopping?!" I shot up and looked him in the eye.

"I guess we can. Do you love shopping or something?"

"I do! I like shopping for clothes. Shopping for anything!"

He laughed hard at my spontaneous excitement. He urged me in the bathroom to get cleaned up. Not having Niko in with me made me hurry getting washed up. Once I was ready, Niko had urged me out of the condominium. The car was already started, and it was nice and cool from the air conditioning.

He sat down in the driver's seat, but before he drove off, he asked me where I wanted to go. There were dozens of places I wanted to go with him, but I had a change of mind.

"Why don't we just go to the park? Let's walk around for a while." I looked at him.

He shrugged his shoulders in a 'your wish is my command' gesture. I sat back in the seat while he took me to a place that he seemed to have had in mind. I looked out my window as he drove, looking at the people busy in their own little world. It seemed he was intentionally driving slow just so I can enjoy the car ride. He decided against playing any music. It was just me and him. On a car ride. Driving to a spot that he told me he liked to go for solitude.

He parked in the only available spot. This park seemed to be quite popular. I wondered how he can seek solitude from a busy park like this.

"You'll see in a few minutes why this is my favorite place to be." He said after I asked him what's so peaceful about this place.

He took my hand and lead the way. He knew what paths to take and what turns he needed to make. He and I were deep into the park. So deep, that the screaming children and traffic noise faded away and there was nothing but the sounds of birds and the breeze.

"Now I see why this is your favorite place." I said as I looked up at the leaves in the trees. The heat and humidity yeilded to the mammoth trees and it was pleasant.

He gestured to me and told me to sit with him in the grass. It was at that moment when I sat down next to him he pulled out a small case. He opened the case and a ring glittered in the sunlight. I felt my heartbeat in my ears as my head swam in a sea of nervousness.

"You never did give me an answer." He simply said.

I couldn't even think, let alone answer him. What was an acceptable answer to him? What was an acceptable answer to me?

"Try it on. See if it takes your fancy."

"When did you find the time to get this?"

"I called around a few places, told them what I was looking for, and they crafted this ring. It's amazing what you can do with these smart phones. See how it looks on your finger."

"Do I have to give you an answer now?" I asked as he took my hand and slid the ring on. It fitted perfectly and it was simple, yet beautiful.

"I'd like one, yes. Otherwise, I'll feel like an idiot proposing to you without an answer. Then you'll know I have this."

"I'll know you have it regardless of the answer."

"You're stalling." He accused.

"Ask me again."

He smiled wily and scooted closer to me. "Will you marry me?"

"Y-N-Ye..."

How the Hell could I get out of this without hurting him or myself.

"Look at that bird!" I pointed out a Cardinal on a nearby tree. "They say Cardinals visit you when a deceased loved one is nearby." I thoroughly believed that, and I got goosebumps when Niko proposed. It meant my grandmother wanted to see what was going on.

"Who would be visiting you?"

"My grandmother. She died in September of last year. I believe she is here right now watching you propose to me."

"Let's not have her wait any longer. What is your answer?""

I paused longer than I thought. I looked him dead in the eyes and formed my answer.

"Niko, you know I love you more than life itself. I can't marry you right now. It's not a good time."

He looked down and I swear he fought back a tidal wave of hurt. I tried to lift his head to look at me. His neck muscles locked his head in place.

"Niko, look at me." I demanded.

His head snapped upwards in a small defiance.

"I'm sorry I hurt you, but if I am not ready, you shouldn't force me to do this." I pointed out.

"Fair enough." He said defeated. "Just promise me one thing? Be there for me after all this?"

"What are you saying, Niko? Do you have doubts about this trial?"

"I am expecting this to go either way."

I looked away from him to focus on the nearby stream. It was soothing my mind. He single-handedly threw this day in a small turmoil. I really wanted to marry him, but I knew he wasn't ready. There was some unknown unspoken reason that he decided that he'd ask for my hand. I went out on a limb and formulated a theory.

"Is it Kiki?"

"What?" His eyebrows furrowed inward.

"Is it Kiki that made you propose?"

"God no! I'm proposing because I love you and I want you to be my wife! This has nothing to do with her. Why did you think that?"

"I just thought that if you were engaged to me, you'd have a better reason to put off Kiki."

"I'd never use you as an excuse." He said defensively.

Perhaps my brother was right. I overthink things.

"You know what? Let's just go home."

"We only just got here! Let's stay a while. Please?"

Niko reluctantly agreed and laid back on the grass. Sighing, he put the ring back in his pocket. I never knew he was serious about marrying me. That day he asked me, he said for me to forget it. It was in the spur of the moment. I shrugged what just happened away and tried to rest with him. Niko, on the other hand, looked restless as his head kept rising off the ground. Eyes darting left and right.

"Something bothering you?"

"We're not alone. Shh." He stood up and pulled me up with him. "Be quiet and follow me." He spoke barely loud enough for me to hear.

We walked with a kicked up pace as he and I traveled the twisting paths inside the park. I hoped he knew the way back since I had no clue. I stepped on a twig, and Niko stood upright and drew a gun on me so fast I had no time to react.

"What the fuck, Niko!?"

He lowered the gun aimed at my chest. "Sorry. I thought you were someone trying to attack us."

"Who would attack us?"

"Well, not us...me." He put the gun back in his holster that was concealed so well, I had no idea it was on his body when I laid on him.

"Why you?"

"Do you not pay attention when I talk to you?"

"You asshole! Be nice to me. You've been hiding things from me, haven't you? Who else have you killed?"

"No one! It's the people I've dealt with in my past that have me a little on edge."

"So, why did you take me out?"

"Because you wanted to! And so did I for that matter. I was sick of staying indoors. And I could tell you were itching for some free time with me. I made sure if we we're attacked that I was prepared. I rarely leave this gun at home."

"It would have been nice of you to tell me you were bringing that."

Niko stopped abruptly. I did walk into him and he turned around.

"I'm sorry, alright? I don't tell you things like this because I don't want you to be frightened."

He walked on without me and I ran to catch up with him. His longer legs made his strides almost double mine.

"Wait, Niko. Stop."

When he didn't stop, I grabbed his arm and yanked him around.

"Will you listen to me? Why are you being like this? Just because you have a feeling we're being watched, doesn't mean you should act like a dick!"

"I'm trying to get out of this area so we can go home. Will you hurry up?" He continued on while I struggled behind. I felt the humidity weighing me down, but it didn't seem to bother him. He turned around when he no longer heard my footsteps. He was atleast twenty feet ahead.

"Do you want me to carry you?"

I nodded and he walked back my way. He carried me on his back and pressed on. Luckily, we got to the car with no sign of threat.

We got back, and Karen was on the phone again. A common sight to see that thing attached to her ear. Niko mouthed who she was on the phone with. She mouthed back saying it was his girlfriend. I got annoyed at her answer knowing she was referring to Kiki and was trying to get a reaction out of me. It almost worked. I advanced to her, but I had no intention of saying anything. Had Niko known, he wouldn't have grabbed my arm to stop me. He looked a little calmer once we got home.

He and I sat at the table in the kitchen and he shuffled the deck of cards to keep his hands busy. I watched him as he fidgeted with it. My mind was talking with itself. Niko's eyes met mine as I could tell he knew I was watching him.

"Your paranoia is getting the best of you." I accused.

"I'm not paranoid. I'm nervous. God knows what Kiki is talking about with her."

Niko pulled out his phone and his thumbs were flying acrossed the screen. I streched my neck out to see his screen.

"Cousin. It is your cousin. Do you feel like going shopping again for us?"

His phone rang within the next minute.

"Roman, what's up?...Uh huh...She did what!...I wish I saw that...Well, you know Uncle Niko...Hey, did you get my message?...Yeah, can you come get our list?...Okay...Yeah, it's a condominium... The address is in the text message... I'll see you soon."

I wanted to know who the 'she' he was talking about, but right now, I just needed to take it easy.

Roman stopped over about two hours later with baby Mila. Niko stood immediately and had a grin on his face that warmed my heart. He scooped her up and blabbled. Mila cooed and giggled at silly Uncle Niko.

"There she is! There's that smile I missed!"

This was thereputic for him. Seeing his little neice was just what he needed. This in return made me smile.

"What does my cousin need?"

Niko answered by handing Roman a shopping list that had two columns full of food, hygiene supplies, and miscellaneous items.

"Can I leave Mila with you? She misses her uncle."

"I don't mind babysitting. I miss Mila like you wouldn't believe."

"I'll have these to you when I get back." Roman said as he reached for the doornob.

Niko took a couple of quick paces to his cousin before he left. He whispered to Roman and handed him another piece of paper. Roman nodded. Then he was off to do our shopping yet again.

I locked eyes with Niko as he came to me and sat on the couch. Mila was a cute pudgy baby. She shied away from me when I waved at her. Niko smiled telling her that was no way to make a friend.

"How old is Mila?"

Her name made her switch on Niko's shoulder to look at me.

"She's two years. She's shy around others beside Roman, Mallorie, and myself." He allowed Mila to grab onto his finger and giggled.

"Proud uncle Niko." I said.

He smiled back at me. It's amazing. A little baby could have that much influence on Niko's mood. I could tell Mila and him were close. He probably treated her like his daughter. Spoiling her in endless ways.

"Ni." Mila called.

"What is it, princess?"

She hopped off his lap and pulled him around by his index finger to the kitchen. She pointed to the stale chip bag at the top of the refrigerator.

"You don't want those, darling." He laughed.

She lead him around seemingly pointless to us adults, but to her, Niko had to be shown the things she saw.

"Yes. Those are my keys." She blabbled her question to him. He really understood what she was trying to ask. She seemed satisfied with his answer and again, showed him around.

From the bedroom, I heard him tell Mila that was his shoes. And his shirt. And my shoes. It was adorable how much time he was spending with her. And he hasn't even said how tired he was.

"Can I introduce you two?" Niko asked as I played on my phone.

"I know who Mila is."

"Yes. But she's a little less shy now."

"You know this? How? She barely knows how to talk?"

"Call it.. Uncle Niko's intuition."

Okay. That's adorable.

He lowered himself to my ear. "But you have to pretend you don't know her yet, okay?"

I nod.

He cleared his throat when he stood up as to call a ceremony. He really was pretending she was a princess. How amazing would he be if he had his own daughter?

"I'd like to formally introduce you to Mila, the princess of Bellicland. Mila, this is my girlfriend, Sharon. She is everything to me." His last sentence seemed to speak to me.

"Honored to meet you, little Miss. I must say, you have a very special bodyguard. He is loyal, friendly, and extremely protective of those he holds dear. " I played along, but I also spoke to him as well. "In fact, I wouldn't trade him for anything else in the world." My playfulness slid away.

He sat on the couch with me again, holding Mila in his lap. I could tell his playfulness faded away.

"And I wouldn't trade you for anything either." His eyes delved deeply into mine. I could feel him stripping away at my skin to get to the very core of my soul. It was working.

I looked at little Mila. She was distracted by something in Niko's pocket. Clawing at the little box that still contained the ring, he redirected her away from his pocket. He set her down gently on the floor and she stood between his legs.

"Do I have the princess's permission to kiss her bodyguard?" I knew she had no interest anymore in the royalty game because she was still after that box. She mumbled in her baby speak and I assumed it was a permission granted.

I scooted over to him. He turned his head just as I did so, and his lips covered mine. They were still so warm and soft as we broke apart and met again. A wet popping noise was all it took for Mila to screach at Niko for not paying attention to her. I laughed against his lips at her impatience.

"She really wants you to herself."

He smiled back. I felt his lips tug against mine.

"Yeah, she's an attention whore." He whispered.

I was shocked he'd use that term while mentioning his neice, but I figured it was a joke.

"So, how old is Roman?" I ask to get a little more about his family history. Also to pass the time.

"He's a year younger than I am."

"I don't get it. Why did those two wait so long to have a child?"

"It's a sad story. It hits close to home for me too. You'll hear why, just not from me."

"How come?"

"I'd rather them tell you."

"Does it have anything to do with you?"

"No." He sighed deep in thought. "I guess it is better if I told you. I don't want anymore salt in their wounds."

I sat back in the couch as he looked at the floor. Figuring out where to begin and how to bring up the topic that still seemed sensitive to him.

"Roman and Mallorie had one child eight years ago. It was a baby girl. They were going to name the baby after my girlfriend who died at the wedding. Baby Kate. I never thought a name was able to take my heart, but it did. I was so proud of my cousin. He was finally able to have a child and show some maturity. I remember the phone call. He was so ecstatic. He told me to rush to the hospital to see Mallorie. It was an emergency. Mallorie was ready to give birth, but it was a premature delivery. The baby was put on an incubator when she delivered it. The baby died three weeks later not being able to sustain itself without life support. Roman and Mallorie had to make that decision to end the poor thing's suffering. He rarely talks about the birth, but I can tell he thinks about their first all the time. Just like I do."

"They waited eight years to have another baby?"

"Having been through all that, going to the hospital, delivering a failing baby, and then making the choice to take it off life support really crippled them. We never rushed them to have another. It was going to be on their time that they would have another. Even if it took eight years."

"I understand. It probably was a terrible emotion to go through. My aunt had a stillborn. He would have been twenty two months ago. My aunt had severe depression and she thought she was cursed to never have another baby. They already had two boys, but she really wanted a girl. I remember being in the hospital after they took the baby. I tried to stay strong for her, but in the end, I lost it. I cried with her. I never hope I have to deal with that. Ever."

He smiled fondly at me. Placing his hand on my stomach, he seemed to give me his protection. However, he couldn't protect me from something he couldn't prevent.

"I will be there if it does happen. And I will be there if it doesn't. You'll have me so much, you'll get sick of me." He said, making light of the situation.

"I'll never get sick of you. I'll get mad at you from time to time, but never sick of you."

He kissed me with a hunger that matched mine. The quenching of the hunger we were looking for could not be achieved. He pulled his lips away from me slowly, letting the effect of his kiss linger on my lips. I looked at him through half closed eyelids. I wanted him so badly, it acutally hurt.

"We should hold off on that." Brushing his lips against mine in an attempt to stop what I was thinking. It felt so good to have him delicately grazing my lips. It slowly brought my lust to a full flame having him in close proximity of me.

"Niko," I started.

"We can't. Not now."

"Why not? I am sure my brother and Karen are doing what we need to do." I tried to convince him.

"We have a baby with us." He reminded me.

I grumbled at his logic. Little Mila eventually lost interest in what Niko had in his pocket and went for his other one. She knew there was something else more important to her in it. Niko reached in and pulled out his phone. He found her favorite game and her happy fingers tapped away on the screen.

"That will keep her busy for a while."

"Tired of her pulling you everywhere? Typical woman."

He supressed a laughter, not sure if he should. I looked at him in a 'you know me better' look and he let his laugh out.

Mila was the center of attention again until Roman came back around 9. He had bags hanging from both his arms as he noisily entered. Niko stood up to help while I was to keep an eye on the baby. She cried when she saw both Niko and Roman leave. I comforted her by telling her they'd be back. I pounded on the other bedroom door with Mila in my arms. I ordered the two of those lovebirds to get out and help with groceries, but the response I got was to go to Hell by Karen.

It was too late anyway. They had brought all the bags inside.

"Can you put Mila down for a second?" Niko asked with something behind his back.

I did as commanded. He looked to the floor for a few seconds and back at me.

"I wanted to really apologize to you. I was such an asshole to you today. Please forgive me." He surprised me with a mixture of red, yellow, and purple flowers.

"You didn't have to get me that." Even though I knew Roman paid for everything.

"I wanted to. It was wrong of me to be the way I was to you."

"I did forgive you earlier."

"I just wanted to hear you say it. From now on, I will never lose my temper around you."

"Just around me?" I scoff.

"Yeah. Only around you." He chuckled.

I drew his face into mine with my free hand and gave him a quick kiss. The sound of our lips popping against each other made Roman groan in childish noises.

"Be quiet, Roman." Niko warned.

"Is that the thanks I get for going shopping for you hogs? You go through groceries so fast." He protested.

"Alright then. Hvala, Roman. Dobar si rođak."

Roman crossed his arms. He must have thought it was about time we showed more thankfulness towards him. We did thank him multiple times and we swore up and down that we'd owe him the moon, but Roman seemed like it was our thanks was all that was needed.

"It's about time. Ako nisam znala bolje, svi ste iskoristili mene i moju ljubaznost." He chuckled and picked up Mila.

"Nemojte ovo praviti o sebi, Roman." Niko said.

He waved goodbye and so did Mila. She did cry a little when it was time to leave. Poor little thing really loves her Unkle Ni.

After Roman's departure, we put away all the items he got for us. Karen and my brother were still in their room, and I was not in the least bit curious as to what they were doing in there. Niko and I whipped something light to eat for diner and we sat on the couch to watch whatever was on television. It was mostly about Niko's case on the news channels. I felt him fidget next to me. I assumed it was because he was still worried about his case. Whatever the outcome, I would be by his side.