All Good Things Must End an Ending for Meet My Brother's
I am generally a MA (for mature) writer, but I keep it fairly clean on to keep to community guidelines. If you want more heat, find me elsewhere.
I never intend copyright infringement and am very careful to make my stories my own but since I am using other's characters, please send all love and adoration to the original author. I make no money from my stories and am simply happy to tell them.
Every story deserves a happy ending and I love writing them, though there is often a great deal of turmoil before I get there. I always say that I like to write the last book in a long series that way I always get the ending I think the characters I love deserve. Plus, I'm impatient and don't like to wait.
My stories generally run about 70k-100k. I write between 2000-8,000 words per day.
My current story All Good Things Must End which is my ending to the story Meet My Brothers, is about to be posted. I have 50K words written and will be posting the first 10k words or so as the first chapter. I will post every three days (roughly) until finished. I expect the story to take no more than 30 days to be finished.
My final book in the series starts at chapter 1090, if you haven't read it until there you will need to go read that book first. I stopped reading at that chapter so there would not be any overlapping themes. I will likely finish it at some point but not until I finish with my ending. If you have any questions send me a message and I will try to get back to you.
Credit for Meet My Brothers should go to Red Thirteen. You can find this story on Webnovel & Goodreads
Mia leaned back in her seat and watched the twins interact with each other as they headed toward their home. It was so good seeing them together outside of a hospital setting. She had waited for this day for so long, too scared to hope that they would ever get the chance to live a normal life. Ginger was speaking so fast and with such enthusiasm that it seemed like she barely had time to breathe between sentences. Sage took it in stride though smiling indulgently at his twin. They were complete opposites but loved and protected each other fiercely.
After four long painful years Sage was finally healthy enough to try to live a real-life thanks in large part to his father's bone marrow donation. Mia was exceptionally grateful to Timothy for stepping up and saving their son. Was the gratitude she felt the reason she was so unsettled? Mia felt like something was changing inside her.
Watching Tim with Ginger also had a role to play in her mixed emotions. She never would have dreamed that he would be so caring and generous with their daughter. Then there was the fact that Mia could not help but notice that Tim had changed or was changing into the kind of man she had always wished he were. It didn't seem fair that she had only ever known Mr. Barrett and now he was just Timothy, and she would never have the better version of him for herself.
Mia sighed softly thinking about that damn text message. She could not believe how stupid she had been. Mia had responded in the way she had on impulse and realized that his sentiments had to have come from a drunk text about a second after she hit send. She was so embarrassed and felt so vulnerable that her mind had gone into lockout mode when she saw that he was at the Research Center.
Mia could not face speaking to Tim and seeing the censure in his eyes toward her foolish feelings. So, she had ignored him completely but was unable to miss the way he doted on Ginger. Surprisingly, Timothy Barrett was shaping up to be a good father. How could she have ever expected that?
Sage was not Ginger, though and Mia knew he would not take to Tim so easily. Timothy had surprised her again with the way he had adjusted to Sage's hostility. He had effortlessly cajoled her cranky child into taking his gift. When Sage had used Nicholas to try and wound him, Timothy hadn't gotten upset. Mia knew it had not been easy for Timothy to not react, but he had done admirably, not playing into their son's trap.
If Tim had gotten upset Sage would have taken it as confirmation that his father was a bad man. Considering their conversation the day before at the banquet, Mia knew that the restraint her ex-husband had shown had cost him more than she knew. It was one thing for her to reject Tim but for Sage to reject his father in favor of another had to have hurt him deeply. Mia knew that her son was only acting out because he felt he had been abandoned by his father, but it was still a painful situation for all involved.
Then there was the incident at the banquet hall. Mia had seen the video of Timothy ousting the Barrett women first thing this morning. While she knew that Tim was protecting his own image and that the events had little to do with her. Mia could not help wondering if he had been standing up for her as well. Would that even be a priority for him? Regardless, Tim had finally tried to fix the situation and that mattered to Mia more than she wanted to admit.
Mia's phone buzzed and she picked it up noticing a text notification from Nicholas. He was asking her to join him for dinner the next evening. Mia was torn, she still didn't feel like she had any romantic feelings toward her friend but maybe those would come with time. Nick had been her rock for so long tirelessly caring for her son that Mia felt like she should at least give him a chance. Maybe the endless medical drama was getting in the way of romance.
Still part of Mia did not want to go because of what Timothy might read into the situation which made her feel frustrated and ridiculous. Mia sent a text back to Nick agreeing to go before she could change her mind. What was one date? It was completely harmless plus she needed to know if there was anything between Nicolas and herself. There would be no reason to waste either of their time if she didn't feel some kind of spark with him. Her mind tried to bring up a vague memory of an incident long ago, but Mia dismissed it. That was different. That had been desperation, loneliness, and a lot of alcohol and could not be counted as a true test of compatibility.
The car pulled up the long driveway to the Lane family residence and stopped. Mia helped the twins out of the car and headed up the walkway to the house. The family was all there to welcome Sage home. Even Liam had taken a break from his filming schedule to spend time with the little boy that would get to experience real life for the first time. The living room was decorated in green and black balloons, streamers, and even a big sign that said welcome home.
Mia watched Sage take in the sight with a sort of cautious happiness that made her both happy and sad. It killed her to think about how much her son had missed and gave her so much joy that he was finally a regular little boy. The family walked into the party space together and Ginger pulled Sage around the tables of banquet of food and presents that were meant to celebrate the happy occasion.
"Mommy, can we please show Sage his room now?" Ginger asked. "We all helped decorate it for you and I especially helped with putting toys away," the vibrant girl continued.
"Sure, baby," Mia told her daughter.
Mia told Peyton, her assistant, to put Sage's computer bag on the sofa and Claude grabbed the other bag to bring to his room. Mia felt like she had been waiting her whole life to bring Sage home. For a moment she was overwhelmed with gratitude for Timothy because this never would have happened without him. She could think it was his responsibility to help as much as she wanted but if he were really the bastard that she remembered nothing would have made him help their child. When they reached Sage's bedroom, Mia opened his door with a flourish.
"Here you are sir, home sweet home." Mia said in an old-world theater voice.
"Mom, stop, you are so embarrassing," Sage complained though he was smiling. He walked into his room and turned around his eyes flitting from one item to the next. Then Sage began to walk around occasionally touching a toy or a book, really discovering his small world for the first time. He finally stopped in front of the wall of computer monitors and several computers with a big grin.
"Top of the line set up from Technosphere," Nathan told his nephew. "You should really be able to have some fun now."
"Yes," Mia interjected, "but for now let us go eat and enjoy the party." She knew if Sage got started with the computers now, she would not be able to pull him away from them.
"Do you like your room, Sage?" Ginger questioned a little timidly. He nodded at her with a small smile. "Phew, I was worried." The little girl breathed out dramatically causing everyone to chuckle.
Several hours later after everyone had eaten everything that they could stomach the adults of the Lane household began to head into Dominics study to have a more grown-up conversation about the day's events. Ginger was playing with her dollhouse. Sage was sitting on the sofa with his laptop open in his lap and was turning the flash drive his father had given him over and over in his hand. Mia and Eva were on the loveseat across the room talking quietly and Nathan was standing unobtrusively behind Sage waiting to see what his nephew would do. He wanted to know what was on that flash drive.
Finally, the boy huffed and popped the drive into a slot on the laptop. Instantly the computer screen went black, and a deep menacing computerized voice started to laugh. A white digital face appeared on screen, the mouth moving in time with the audio. "doomBringer presents a game of courage and skill if you are daring enough," a small white rabbit began to hop around the screen until the face turned toward it and swallowed it whole. "Catch me if you can little rabbit before I catch you!" The face then exploded and tinkled to the bottom of the screen with a sound like glass. This was followed by text that read 'Level 1, to begin press start.'
"Cool!" both Nathan and Sage exclaimed at the same time. Nathan watched as his nephew immediately became engrossed in his hacker game thinking that wonders never cease. Could Barrett really be doomBringer and then he realized that the only letter capitalized in the hacker alias was Barrett's initial. Well damn, he hadn't seen that coming. As the Norde City equivalent to doomBringer Nathan had been The Duke and together along with a few other talented people had hunted a group of elite terrorists.
Nathan was sure he was right, but he had to know. He crouched down next to Sage. "I need you to answer a question for me. Did doomBringer tell you the story about hunting terrorists?"
"Yep." Sage responded, typing quickly.
"Can you tell me who the terrorists really were?" Nathan prodded.
"No, I'm not supposed to talk about it." Sage replied still not looking up from his screen.
"Do you know who I am?" Nathan questioned skeptically.
"You are The Duke." His nephew replied.
"Did Barrett tell you that?" Nathan asked concerned.
"No, I don't think he knows but I already knew from your training materials, Uncle Nathan." Sage glanced at his uncle before looking back at the screen.
"Well then I need you to tell me who the terrorists really were so that I can confirm if he really is doomBringer." Nathan reaffirmed.
"Oh, okay. Barrett said that they were rich kids from powerful families, and it got covered up because that is how crappy high society works." Sage recited from memory before yelling "I got you." The laptop screen read level two.
"Thanks kid, that helps me out a lot." Nathan told his nephew with a pat on the shoulder. Barrett absolutely was the famous hacker that saved the day all those years ago. What in the hell happened to him to make him into Mr. Barrett, CEO, and winner of the worst person of the year award?
Nathan barged into Dominic's office bringing the conversation to a sudden halt. "You are never going to believe what I just discovered?" He paused for effect, "Timothy Barrett was, well still is, doomBringer." The whole room erupted with exclamations of disbelief. Only Connor and surprisingly Dominic were quiet.
"What makes you say that?" Dominic asked Nathan.
"Well, the hacker game that Barrett gave to Sage is presented by that name." Nathan went to continue but was interrupted.
"Barrett probably just used the name to try to get the boy to like him." Liam scoffed.
Nathan continued before anyone else could interrupt. "So, I asked Sage a question only the real hacker would have known, and he gave me a perfect answer. Barrett is the Legendary hacker. Just thought you should know." Everyone was silent.
"What the hell happened to Barrett to take him from hero level good guy to the ultimate asshole we found in Bern City?" Jason wondered aloud.
"My thoughts exactly," Nathan said shaking his head. "It doesn't compute in my head. What did I miss while I was uncovering the great mysteries of the universe?"
"We were talking about Barrett blowing the merger with Murdoch Oil." Connor said.
"I know, he said he refused to sell any of his daughter's time." Nathan affirmed.
"I'm beginning to think Barrett may be a more complicated man than we have given him credit for." Jason sighed.
Mia was exhausted, it had been such an emotional day. Now that both her children were in her home ensconced in their own activities, she was happy to sit with Eva discussing random things.
"I have a date tomorrow," Mia said finally.
"Oh, with who?" Eva asked carefully.
"Nicholas, who else?" Mia replied.
Eva sighed, "It's just that I saw your text conversation with Timothy this morning. Accidentally, of course. I didn't want to pry and I'm not judging but that doesn't really sound completely over. The new Timothy has been a surprisingly good guy so far. I just want to make sure you are making decisions for you and not what you think we want you to do."
"It was a drunk text; it doesn't mean anything." Mia couldn't look at Eva.
"Are you kidding? Drunk texts are great because alcohol makes a person more likely to say the things they normally wouldn't have said sober. Drunks are generally more honest." Eva shrugged, "sad but true."
"I don't know." Mia shook her head, "it's not like a nice sentiment will override the mountain of regrets sitting between the two of us."
"Look, I want to be frank with you because I'm the only person in this house who will admit this. I would bet a million dollars right now that Timothy has feelings for you, strong ones. No man can change so completely without a monumental alteration in their heart, soul, whatever you want to call it. Sure, Ginger and Sage account for some of it but if he just wanted your children he would hire a lawyer. Tim hasn't hired one which means he's more concerned about your feelings toward him than taking custody of your children from you."
"Men don't inconvenience themselves the way he is doing for a woman unless they have a damn good reason and he told you what that reason is. He can't live without you. That is what he said, right? Hon, all I want is you happy; I don't care how that happens." Eva sat back and fixed her little sister with a stare.
"Tell me about your date with the doctor." Eva changed the subject seamlessly.
"I feel like I need to go on a date with him to find out if there is anything between us. I don't feel any romantic interest toward him but maybe that is just because we have been stuck in that medical drama for so long that it has overshadowed other feelings." Mia fidgeted with a loose string in the hem of her skirt.
"You don't feel any spark or think that you want something more when you are around him?" Eva asked skeptically.
"Nick isn't an emotional guy. He is rather cold to be around. Sure, there are some exceptions but generally he starts at glacial and ends in the vicinity of a hard frost. This doesn't make him very loveable or even likeable for most people. We have a good friendship and I trust him. There is also the fact that he is never around. Nick works so many hours that he barely stops to sleep, and he is always on call. Planning a single date is a nightmare. How would we plan a life together? I would always be alone." Mia laid out the concerns that popped up whenever she considered whether she liked Nick as anything more than a friend. It felt good to get them off her chest. "Nicholas doesn't seem like he has much interest in me either. As a friend sure but as a man? Not so much."
"Well, I can see where the problem starts. It's no wonder that you are not attracted to Nicholas. What you just described about Nick is the same thing you already lived through when you were married to Barrett. It is no wonder that you don't want a repeat performance. How have I never noticed this before?" Eva was appalled that they had all been pushing Mia toward a situation that was like the one she had barely escaped.
"If that is true, what is with my confusion about Timothy now? Why would I feel anything at all toward him? Mia questioned even more confused.
"I think it's because your physical reactions and instincts and even your emotions don't recognize him as the same person." Eva mused. "He has changed so much it is like he is a completely new person."
"What if Nick is just hiding how he feels and who he would be if he were with me? After everything he has done for me, I owe him one date to at the very least test whether we have any chemistry." Mia was almost convinced that she did not see Nicholas that way, but she could give him one evening to be sure.
"I will help you get ready for your date. I'll make sure that you are able to tell in one date if there is anything between you two." Eva vowed helpfully.
"Thanks Eva, you are the most understanding person I know. And for understanding the situation with Timothy. I did not expect him to be a good father or stick around, or even act like he cared about us at all. It is very confusing. I need to get these kids to bed then I am going to turn in too." Mia finished before getting up from the sofa.
"You are welcome sweety, in a house with this many men us ladies need to stick up for one another." Eva replied to Mia and aided in her endeavor to pick up after the twins and get them headed off to bed.
The Lane family was gathered in the dining room sharing a cheerful breakfast before they headed off to various activities. They cherished the time that they were able to share as a family. Today was made even more special because of Sage's presence at the table. It was the Saturday before the twins would start school together. The brothers were clowning around with the children and taking advantage of the free morning.
Sage had played along with his sister and uncle's antics for a while but had been on his computer for the last twenty minutes or so.
"Darn it!" Sage huffed, hitting his little hands against the table. He was stuck on a level in his game. He kept getting boxed into a corner and no matter what he tried he could not escape the level boss and move forward. Sage picked up his phone, added a scowling picture of himself to his contact information and unblocked Barrett from his phone. Then with a baby growl he sent a video call request to his father.
Timothy was in a conference meeting when the request came in from his son. He was dealing with the fallout about his decision to not make signing the Murdoch deal his priority. Tim was now convinced that the signing had been suspicious. After two years Murdoch suddenly wanted to sign but only for one day. Something was off there.
Seeing the request Tim dropped out of the conference without a word or backward glance, a small smile on his face.
"Good morning, Sage." Timothy said as he opened the video call with his son.
Sage scowled, "your game cheats, Mr. Barrett."
"The game does not cheat." Tim responded simply. "What level are you on?"
Sage harumphed, "level six."
"Already? Not bad. Well done, son!" Timothy watched as a slight smile crossed Sage's face when he praised him before the boy quickly hid it behind a scowl again. Tim continued, "level six is designed to teach you about how structures are fluid in a digital world. Let me guess, you are trapped by the boss in a corner, and you can't move?"
"I can't move forward or sideways and I am so annoyed." Sage vented.
Tim chuckled, earning a scowl. "The first step is to be calm, second is to be logical. What does it mean when I say structures are fluid within a network?
"Umm, that things like barricades and walls aren't solid but just code that can be moved around as needed." Sage replied automatically.
"So, if you cannot move forward where do you need to go?" Tim prompted and watched as Sage worked through the problem, his little face scrunched in concentration. Then the boy smiled brilliantly.
"I need to go back through the wall." Sage exclaimed.
"Very good," Tim encouraged. "Enjoy your game. Let me talk to your mom, please."
"Thanks." Sage responded quietly before handing over the phone.
"Hey Tim," Mia's face was suddenly in view, and he couldn't help but smile at how happy and peaceful she looked.
"Hi, have you decided about the visit with the twins?" Tim asked cautiously.
"Yeah, how about tomorrow evening at Aide Castle? The paparazzi are blocked from entering and there is a nice park to take the kids to." Mia offered.
Dominic's voice came from the background. "I thought your date was tomorrow. Be careful not to double book."
"It's tonight Dominic but thanks." Mia replied sarcastically "Sorry," she apologized to Tim noticing his smile was now a frown.
"Tomorrow is fine, Mia. Text me the time and I'll be there. Hug Ginger for me. I need to get back to my meeting." Tim said flatly. The line disconnected and Mia gave Sage his phone back. She felt conflicted now that her harmless date didn't seem so harmless.
"Was that really necessary?" Mia asked her brother.
"What did I do?" Dominic asked her. Mia just shook her head. Truthfully, he had done it because he didn't like how easily his family accepted Tim as part of their everyday life. Why was he the only one that was upset that he had to hear Barrett's voice at the breakfast table? He could not allow that to be a regular occurrence.
When early evening rolled around Mia took a quick shower and started getting ready for her date with Nick. She was indifferent to the idea and that bothered her. Nick was a great guy. He had saved the lives of her children. Why couldn't she have the same reaction to him that she had with Timothy? Life truly wasn't fair.
Mia had just finished blow drying and curling her hair when Eva came in with a dress bag. She laid the bag on Mia's bed. Eva walked up to her sister and began piling her hair on top of her head. Eva arranged the curls into an artful updo that allowed a few curls to fall and hang down. Mia added a deep red lipstick before donning her black stilettos.
Eva pulled the designer dress from the bag and brought it to Mia to step into. The dress was black satin that hugged her curves. It was cut low in the front showing an enticing amount of cleavage and the back sat low on her waist. It was a spaghetti strap design that ended gracefully just above her knees. It was the most provocative dress she had ever worn.
Mia looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror. She was slightly embarrassed from how revealing the dress was but at the same time she felt beautiful and sexy.
"If you don't get a reaction from Nick in this it means he's dead and someone should call a code." Eva smirked. Mia nodded in agreement, grabbing her evening bag.
Mia and Eva entered the family area of the large home where the Lanes were engaged in various activities. As Mia entered the room those activities ceased.
"Where the hell do you think you are going dressed like that?" Liam questioned sitting up straight in his chair.
"I have a date tonight." Mia rolled her eyes at the ridiculous concerned looks on her brother's faces.
"Are you going out with Daddy?" Ginger asked running up to her mother.
"No honey, not tonight. We will see Tim tomorrow." Mia said.
"Then can you stay home? I don't want you to go." Ginger exclaimed looking like she might cry.
"Ginger, baby, don't do this. It is one date. Everything will be fine." Mia tried to sooth the unhappy child.
"I don't want you to go out with Uncle Nick." Ginger fumed stomping away from her mother.
"Don't be dumb Ginger. Mom's going to marry Uncle Nicholas." Sage told his sister arrogantly.
Ginger burst into tears at his words. "Mom if you go, I will never speak to you again." Ginger's words were delivered through sobs that made her breath hitch and she ran from the room.
Mia wasn't quite sure what to do. She was in shock. Ginger had never acted like this before. Mia knew that it must be because of Timothy but she wasn't sure what to do about it.
"I'll take care of her." Eva said, heading down the hall to check on her niece. When she got to Ginger's room, Eva realized the girl was on the phone with Timothy. His voice was low and soothing trying to comfort his emotional daughter.
Tim was getting ready to go to a dinner meeting with Mayor Shelbert when his phone lit up with his daughter's face. He smiled and wondered what she was up to.
"Hey there bug, what's up?" Timothy answered his phone then at once realized something was wrong as his daughter was sobbing so hard she could barely speak.
"Baby, what is wrong?" Tim asked in a worried tone.
"Mom, hiccup, date, hiccup. I don't, sob, want her, hiccup, to go." Ginger struggled to speak.
Tim sighed. "Breath with me bug. You need to calm down. Everything will be ok." Tim kept soothing the little girl until she finally started to sound a little calmer.
"Daddy, I told her not to go but mommy wouldn't listen. I'm never speaking to her again." Ginger vowed. "She is dressed too fancy. I'm so angry at her." The little girl fumed, still making small sobbing sounds.
"Do you know where she is going on her date?" Tim finally asked.
"La Bella," Ginger spat. She was mad.
"Well, we are in luck then because I am on my way there. I can keep an eye on her and make sure nothing bad happens, all right?" Tim told Ginger.
"Oh goodness, yes that would be good. Can you take a sweater for her Daddy? She will need it." Ginger enthused her mood improving significantly.
"Why does mommy need a sweater, bug?" Tim asked not liking where this was headed.
Ginger sighed dramatically. "Because she's not wearing very many clothes and she will get cold." Tim's daughter explained sagely. Tim groaned internally letting his head bang against the wall he had been leaning on. He spent a couple minutes saying goodbye to Ginger and after he promised to take care of Mia, they hung up the phone.
The last thing Timothy wanted to do was see Mia on a date with another man. The thought alone made his chest burn. His hands balled into fists at his sides. He took three calming breaths and forced himself to stretch his fingers out and relax. Tim turned to the mirror, straightened his tie and donned his dinner jacket. Grabbing his wallet, he headed out of the hotel to his waiting car.
When Timothy arrived at the restaurant, he saw Nicholas Merches leaning against a pillar near the entrance. Climbing out of his car he noticed the mayor by the entrance as well. The mayor was in conversation with two men that Tim didn't recognize. He headed in the direction of Mayor Shelbert but didn't rush. Thirty seconds later a car belonging to the Lanes arrived and he saw Nicholas straighten up and head to meet Mia.
Dr. Merches helped Mia out of the car with a light hand. When she was in full view Timothy swallowed with difficulty. Nicholas didn't seem to be faring any better. He looked dumbstruck. Finally, after a long moment he swallowed and smiled at Mia.
"Why Ms. Lane, you look absolutely delicious." Nick grinned.
"What am I, food?" Mia laughed and stepped closer to the doctor.
"Umm," Nick swallowed hard. "Can I answer that later?"
"You are such a flirt." Mia said slapping his arm with her hand which he caught and tucked into the crook of his arm.
"Guilty as charged," Nicholas smirked, "Shall we, my dear?" At her nod they headed for the entrance.
That smarmy bastard Timothy thought, catching up to the mayor as he headed inside. The look in Nick's eyes as he looked at Mia told Tim all he needed to know about the severity of this current situation. Nicholas wanted Mia badly and planned to take her for himself. While he didn't blame him on the one hand, Tim could not allow it to happen. His life was on the line here and he would not lose everything to Dr. Merches.
Tim and the mayor greeted each other quickly and went into queue for a table and they just happened to be directly behind Mia and Nicholas in line. Tim used that moment to get a good look at her and then wished that he hadn't.
Timothy's eyes skated along the column of her throat, across her bare shoulders, down the line of her mostly bare back and across the swell of her breasts where the satin of her dress drooped in the middle. Tim saw how the thin satin clung to her every curve. He felt his pants and his collar growing uncomfortably tight and was glad his jacket was closed.
Mia dressed this way for Nicholas? Why was she trying to kill him? Tim wanted to grab her and cover her up. No, that wasn't honest, he wanted to drag her out of here cave man style and take her repeatedly until she was unable to even think of being with another man. Tim knew he was going to lose it. If Nick touched her, he would go crazy.
"Oi, Barrett, the mayor called, the line is moving." Mayor Shelbert hailed Tim who seemed to have physically shut down. Mia spun fully around to see Timothy for the first time and a light rosy blush started on her chest and ran to her cheeks. Tim stepped up to the mayor smoothly.
"Good evening, Mia, Doctor." Tim said plainly. Nicholas scowled at him. Tim was trying not to notice the hand Nick had on Mia's back or his fingers tracing along her spine against her bare skin. Nope, he didn't want to notice any of that.
"What brings you here tonight, Tim?" Mia asked, this was exactly what she didn't want to happen. Tim was here, what must he think of her in this dress? His children's mother the wanton mistress.
"Just a simple dinner meeting with the mayor." Tim replied smoothly. "You know Ginger called me, right? She asked me to bring you a sweater. You look beautiful, stunning, enjoy your evening Ms. Lane" Tim smiled softly at Mia and turned away toward the mayor. Mia swallowed hard as she watched him go.
Nicholas was furious that Barrett had come here tonight when he was finally going to try to win Mia over. He was going to make Tim pay and he knew just how to cut him down. If he could just time it correctly maybe he could still come out on top.
Nick could not believe Mia had dressed like this for him, it was like she was screaming that she wanted him. He wanted her; indeed, he desired her more than he had realized possible. Walking was unbearable.
Mia and Nick were seated at a nice table for two near the balcony and private alcoves. It just happened that Barrett and the mayor were in one of the alcoves. Only Mia was unaware of the rather awkward situation. She couldn't see Timothy from where she was sitting but he could see her and Nick. The pair ordered wine and dinner and fell into an easy conversation since they had been friends for years. Unfortunately, Nicholas's phone kept buzzing. He would pick it up, check that it wasn't an emergency and set it back down.
"Are you expecting an emergency?" Mia asked after the seventh buzz.
"Well, no." Nick smiled sheepishly, "but it tends to happen anytime I leave the hospital."
"No one can cover you for a couple hours?" Mia was annoyed. This was not how she wanted to live. Buzz number eight. Nick checked his phone and then stopped as Mia sat back.
"You are annoyed with me, aren't you?" Nick asked.
"It is a turn-off for me when someone can't manage to give me a single hour of their time." Mia admitted.
"What remedy would you suggest for this situation?" Nick frowned trying to think.
Mia held out her hand to Nick. "Give me your phone," after a pause he handed the phone over and she put it in her evening bag and set it on the floor.
"What if there is an emergency?" Nick asked, a little worried.
"Nicholas, darling, you are not the only doctor in the world." Mia purred. Dinner arrived and their wine was refilled. Their easy friendly comradery returned.
"Well, Mr. Barrett, I am sure that you are wondering why I asked you here tonight?" Raymond said after they had ordered their food and drinks. Wine for Raymond and whiskey on the rocks, a double for Timothy.
"Mildly," Tim replied in a neutral tone.
"I would like to propose a collaboration with you, more specifically between you and my daughter Jasmine." Raymond finished dryly. Tim looked up at the mayor sharply.
"Raymond, I have made no secret as to where my attentions lie. I would never do such a disservice to your daughter. Jasmine is a good girl and deserves better than to be bartered away to someone that can only see someone else." Timothy finished speaking and downed his drink.
Raymond pointed toward Mia's table. Mia had just snatched the phone her date kept looking at from him and put it away. Tim smirked, good for her. How dare her date not give her all his attention. If Timothy was in Nicholas's place, air wouldn't be able to get between him and Mia right now.
"Surely you can see that things may not go in your favor in that regard." The mayor asserted gently, as the drinks were refilled. Timothy motioned for the server to make his double a triple. He didn't like talking about this especially not with anyone else but Caleb. Caleb wasn't here though; he had needed to return to Bern City and wouldn't be back for another two days.
"Then I will never marry and will focus on raising my daughter. As it turns out, I am a one-woman type of guy and if I can't have her then I would rather be alone in case she ever changes her mind." Tim replied draining half his drink. The fire was good, it reminded him that the world had not ended yet.
"Then I hope things work out for you the way you wish." Raymond said sadly seeing the toll it was taking on Barrett in the way he was drinking.
"I'm sure it will." Timothy laughed, "I still have a few tricks up my sleeve." Tim and Raymond toasted to the sentiment. Tim was watching for Mia to come back from the restroom while Nick looked at his phone. Mia had given it back to him when she left for the restroom. Nick answered an incoming call as Mia strolled back from the restroom. He looked frazzled, running a hand through his hair roughly.
Nick turned to Mia, touching her upper arm in a familiar way. He said something in a serious tone which made her reach up and touch his cheek and nod her head. When he turned away from her, she let out a big breath of air and her shoulders visibly drooped. When Nick turned back and placed his hand on her back to guide her away, she straightened up again. Somebody was pretending and from where he sat it didn't look like this date was going very well.
Raymond looked at Barrett and smirked, "you better run if you are going to catch her." Tim grinned at the older man, finished his drink and followed Mia.
Nick got called into the hospital. Of course, he did. They hadn't even made it to the hour mark and his phone had never stopped. Mia was fed up. She wanted to be understanding but what kind of life would she be getting herself and the children into if they couldn't even get through a one hour-long dinner?
When they reached the lobby Nicholas pulled her into an alcove to the side of the main area, Nick knew their position would be visible from the staircase that Barrett would be coming down. Nicholas knew that Barrett would follow them.
"Mia, I want to kiss you, can we make a test of it and see how we feel about it afterwards? Can we try that?" Nick asked Mia as sweetly as he could, he wanted to kiss her, but he also wanted to mess with Barrett.
"Sure, that is a good idea." Mia said trying to convince herself.
Nicholas's hand wound around her waist pulling her closer to him. The other hand ran along her cheek into her hair behind her head and noticing that his timing was perfect he lowered his lips to hers. The kiss was nice and sweet right up until her hand wound into the hair at the back of his neck.
Desire gripped Nicholas, hot and heavy. He pulled Mia flush with his body and when her lips parted slightly, he deepened the kiss with his tongue. He didn't give two shits about Barrett right now because he was a man on fire. If a light hadn't flashed next to them, he would have gotten himself into trouble by pushing her into the wall, The Lanes would have heard about it and murdered him. When he pulled away, they were both breathing rough. Nick tucked a strand of hair behind her ear that he had knocked loose with his hand.
Nick's voice was deep and rough when he spoke. "Sorry about that, I think I got a little carried away." He smiled at her warmly which surprised Mia slightly. "Let's get you headed home." Nick wound an arm around her waist and walked her outside.
Tim stood about ten feet away breathing raggedly. That bastard had known he was there. Nick had looked at him and done that on purpose. Tim would've never wanted to see anyone kiss Mia and certainly not like that. Not when she was half naked in Nick's arms and he was ready to devour her. They had looked like a couple that were ready to be intimate with each other. It was killing Timothy that it wasn't him.
Tim stormed outside and was frustrated to see Nicholas still there. Looking down the line it became clear that there was some kind of delay. Now the men stood less than three feet apart and Tim did not think that was far enough to stop a murder.
"Are you having a nice night, Mr. Barrett?" Nicholas asked coldly.
"Shut up." Tim ground out; he was not in the mood to play games.
"Well, I am having a wonderful night. I mean that dress. If that is first-date worthy, by the third we should be eloping. Then I can be your kid's new dad and most importantly make love to my beautiful wife every night, so she never thinks of you again." Nick smiled wistfully watching Tim for a response, but Tim was holding himself rigidly in control.
"I mean it's been a while, but I remember how good she is, but that's probably not your business." Nicholas walked toward his forward as his car got closer. "Ask me where her birth marks are Tim, I dare you."
Tim knew that one was on her right butt cheek, he had been annoyed when he had seen it on accident. "Where?" Tim couldn't help it. He had to know how well the two of them knew each other.
Nick smirked, "One is on her right butt-cheek, kind of cute actually. The other is right about here." Nick tapped a spot on his right side halfway between his pelvic bone and hip bone. "Mia is ticklish there, but you already know that right Mr. Barrett?" The doctor's tone was glacial.
Nick climbed into his car and rolled down the window, "I hope you have sweet dreams, Barrett, I sure will!" Then the car pulled away.
Timothy's car pulled to the curb next, and Tim climbed into the car slamming the door with alarming force. Then he tried to beat the hell out of every surface in the car, kicking and punching until he was too exhausted to move.
A while later Timothy sat with a cigarette in one hand and a decanter of bourbon in the other. He dialed Caleb with the hand holding the cigarette. When his best friend answered Tim recounted the day's event in a monotone voice.
Caleb reminded Tim that Nicholas was a gynecologist and all-around doctor so he could know the things he claimed due to medical reasons. He also pointed out to Timothy that the doctor had said it happened a long time ago which meant even if they had been together, they hadn't stayed together for whatever reason. That line of reasoning helped calm Tim slightly. Caleb reminded him that it had seemed like Mia hadn't really enjoyed the date up until that kiss at least.
"Well maybe what they had between them is just physical and it will fizzle out again." Caleb remarked without thinking.
"How is that supposed to make me feel better? Are you telling me it's better because she might just like having sex with the bastard? Are you out of your mind?" Timothy seethed.
"That's not what I meant. We know at this point currently they have shared one kiss. We are not in crisis mode yet." Caleb sighed. "Man, I know this hurts but you must remember that you are in it for the long game. Unless, her having had sex with the doctor at some point in the past changes what you want with her then I say it doesn't matter. It sucks but it doesn't have any bearing on your future. Right?" Caleb remarked sagely. Tim considered seriously for a moment what Caleb was telling him.
"It doesn't change me wanting her it's way too late for anything to change that." Timothy sighed.
"So, the most important thing now is that she doesn't keep kissing him. If they have been intimate to that level in the past it won't take long for them to end up back in bed together if allowed to continue as they are." Caleb said forgetting how touchy Tim was right now. Tim growled out a curse and Caleb heard a glass shatter into a wall.
"How in the hell am I supposed to stop them from getting together?" Tim asked.
"You said that Ginger told you about the date and where it was, just ask her." Caleb supplied.
"I am not involving my four-year-old daughter in this. She was upset enough when she realized her mom was going out with someone other than me. She doesn't need the stress." Timothy said emphatically.
"Yeah, you're probably right. That was thoughtless of me. Sorry. Hey, I will be back in two days, and we will come up with a plan to get rid of the doctor." Caleb said. "So tomorrow you have visitation and Monday you are going to find the twin's school, correct?"
"That is my plan." Timothy sighed. He hated hewed it felt like he was now in a life-or-death battle with the doctor.
"I think I have the answer to your problem," Caleb said carefully as a possibility occurred to him.
"Really?" Tim questioned.
"Yes, but you are going to have to change a little bit more for it to work. Tim, I know that you are a bit of a prude..." Caleb started but got cut off.
"I am not a prude," Tim scoffed.
"You are a prude my friend; trust me you are. That would be alright except it seems like Mia might like something more than that. All you need to do is make her want you more than him which is a good idea in general to be honest."
"Mia is too nice of a girl to mess with more than one man at the same time. Make sure that one man is you." Caleb grinned imaging the look of terror on his friend's face. He had no idea how any man had the level of control Barrett had always had. The line was silent for a full minute.
"This is embarrassing but I don't really know how." Tim said quietly.
"Physical intimacy is primarily based on instinct. Loosen that control you are so famous for, and let your instincts guide you. Someone is trying to steal your woman and your children and make them theirs. If that doesn't make you want to do anything it takes, I don't know what more I can do for you." Caleb said exasperation seeping into his tone.
"I got it." Tim snapped. "By the way, there is a girl I think you should meet."