Forbidden love for a Barkley
Part Nineteen:
"I Knew You Were Trouble, pt. 6: Volo Manere"
After years of wondering and not being told why it happened, Nick finally got Tom to confess the reason behind his infidelity...with Kerry Doherty that is. Tom went into great detail, basically saying that the first time was right after Nick had been born and how he and Victoria fought due to her post partum depression, mood swings, and just unpredictable. While it sounded like an excuse, one could see why Tom wanted to get away from that and give both himself and his wife some space to cool off & regroup. It was a good idea until Tom carried it too far by having an affair. Just because a person and their spouse or significant other aren't seeing eye to eye or whatever does not make it okay to go off and commit infidelity. It just doesn't! Nick understandably wasn't sure on how he should react to his father's reason behind the affairs with Kerry or if he should react at all. After all, what's done is done and one can't change that, but still, the very idea of doing that your spouse or significant other. Anyways, Tom voiced how much he hoped that Victoria, Nick, and the rest of his children would find it in their hearts to forgive him plus mentioned a diary of sorts that contained the reason behind his twice affair with Kerry in the hopes that maybe it would be read by Victoria and his children. Meanwhile, Nick managed to bring himself to forgive his father for the twice affair with Kerry after so many years of questions and still being unable to let go of the anger he had towards his father for doing such a thing not only to his mother, but to the family. That being said, Nick asked about the idea behind Tom's second mistress Leah Thompson, the birth mother of Heath and Tom said that there was not much to tell. Now, the questions that remain are as follows: What did Tom mean by that? Was there really not much to tell in regards to Leah or was Tom deflecting? What's going on with Stefania and everyone else? and most importantly, is Nick really dead or is this a vision or dream? Stay tuned and find out!
Author's Note: I do NOT own The Big Valley or its characters. I ONLY own this fic and the characters of: Stefania Mangano, Carmine Mangano Sr, Carmine's friends, Paulie Mangano, Leonard Barkley, Seth & his gang, and the Mangano family. This is the sixth to however many parts in this second multi parter saga. You get the idea by now. Also too, I got the idea for Nick's death, dream, or vision from The Rifleman episode: "The Vision", The Jeffersons episode: "They Don't Make Preachers Like Him Anymore", the Golden Girls episode: "Mrs. George Devereaux", & the All in the Family episode: "Edith's Crisis of Faith" parts 1 and 2 plus some real life tragedies I've experienced. Oh and before I forget, this is the end of the vision, dream, or death sequences. We shall find out which of the three it is :D This may or may not be a very brief chapter just to let you know.
WARNING: There may be some hints at s*al intimacy, if you will and talk of our loved ones being with us in spirit, in our hearts, and memories after they die. If any of this makes you uncomfortable or you don't believe in the spirit stuff, skip this chapter. Rated 'T' for a reason.
(Flashback to part 18)
"Wow! I...I..." Nick was at a loss for words.
"It's okay, you don't need to react or say a word. It's wrong and very inexcusable." Tom put his hand up, "The second time, your mother had grown distant towards me which caused a fight between us and made me feel like a nothing. To top things off, she kicked me out, so I moved elsewhere. While spending the day in the saloon, Kerry and I reunited. Let me tell you, it was nice reuniting with her. It felt like an old friend came to visit. No awkwardness. Nothing. We got to talking about stuff and once again, marital woes was the subject. I told her what happened between your mother and me & she told me that since we split up, her love life had not been great. In fact, she was divorcing her fifth husband after two months. After talking and talking, our friendship restarted and like before, we promised that we would be just friends. Of course, that promise was broken, because we had an affair once again. This time, it lasted for four months. The reason for that is one, Kerry flirted with other guys and two, we started fighting. It wasn't the same as it was when you were a newborn."
"Father!" Nick had a look of disgust on his face.
"I know, Nick. It was wrong and there's no excuse for it. I know it's horrifying, but I'm telling you exactly what had happened. It doesn't make it right by any means, but you wanted answers, so that's what I'm giving. Anyways, we had many fights until I decided to end things with her for good and go back to your mother, while keeping this a secret. Kerry, who was known to be a big mouth when mad, had threatened to expose the affair to your mother. Panicked, I decided it was best for me to do it. Kerry would've given a false narrative of things and hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. So, I decided to meet up with your mother at the saloon after receiving a telegram from her, saying she wanted to talk things over and work them out. I went to the saloon the very next day and waited around for her. What I didn't know was that somehow my oh so lovely brother Leonard had found out about my affair with Kerry and had already told your mother like the buttinsky and snitch he always had been since childhood." Tom continued.
"That is a Leonard thing to do just like ordering McMahon and his gang to attack Stefania! Anyways, I doubt mother was real tickled when she found this out." Nick told him.
"Oh no, she was seething about it and I was mad at Leonard. Very mad, but then I thought: "Why am I surprised? He loved Victoria and was hellbent on ruining my marriage due to her spurning him. His blabbing has now led to our separation.", because after finding that out, we separated and she even contemplated divorce. I didn't blame her a bit, because I was and still am mad at myself for going with Kerry. For goodness sake, I was a married man and a father & you just don't do that, but on the same token, we're all human. We all make errors. That's no excuse, though. It just isn't." Tom sighed, "Oh, if I could've reversed it, you better believe that I would, because as I got a little older and more mature plus after your mother and I decided to get back together & work things out, I learned to walk away if heated words were exchanged. Rather than go off with another woman or seek attention, just walk away, cool off, and come back then apologize and admit where you went wrong. If I knew that when I got with Kerry, I would've never gotten with Kerry. I wouldn't. However, I was young, immature, and stupid plus ignorant. That's all I can say."
Nick remained silent and let what his father said sink in. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. In fact, he was shocked even though, shocked put it very lightly. He wasn't sure on whether to be relieved that he got an answer in regards to the Kerry Doherty affair or to be angry about it.
*Nick's POV*
'Oh my word. I...I never thought-No, I never knew the extent of his affair with Kerry. I mean I knew he had cheated, but I never knew why...until now. Well, none of us did. I must admit that this was shocking and I say shocking to be nice.'
I then remember that the Kerry Doherty affair was many years ago and shrug.
'Then again, that was a long time ago, but still, this came as a shock. It sounds logical yet illogical at the same time.'
I get a weird look on my face.
'That made zero sense, because how could it be logical and illogical at the same time?'
I think it over for a bit then nod my head.
'It's illogical, because who does that? Who has an affair after having a simple disagreement? Who does that?! Nobody in their right mind, of course! On the same token, it sounds logical, because at least father admitted it was wrong and made things right with mother. Most men would've been too prideful to admit when they're wrong, even when it came to infidelity. Father had a good reason to give mother some space and to find a friend, but he crossed the line by having an affair! Both times might I add! It's one thing to seek a friend and give somebody space, but that doesn't mean you start an affair, because you can't deal with your significant other or spouse. You just don't do that!'
I remember what father had just said.
'Then again, father was right...he was young, ignorant, immature, and stupid. When you're all of that, you do things that do not make a bit of sense. You do things that you would never normally do. You do things...that you'll regret later. Just like how I regret choking Heath out over Hester and saying those hurtful things to father.'
I sigh.
'Father is also right in regards to nobody being perfect. I mean we all are human and we all are flawed, so that goes without saying. I'm not perfect nor did I ever say I was.'
I think about Father Carmichael and cringe.
'I still cannot believe Father Carmichael stole and led a double life. One life was him being a priest and being a man of God while the other was being a dishonest thief among other possible things. I just...It just makes my skin crawl. Well that and my own father's infidelity. Two people I looked up to and put on a pedestal. One, who is my own father and the other being somebody who I looked to as a second father figure after my own father was murdered in cold blood. Somebody who I thought could never do wrong and he does wrong. They both do wrong.'
I shake my head.
'Get it together, Nick. You're not a kid anymore. This hero worship and putting people on a pedestal is kid stuff. Adults don't do such a thing.'
*Outside of Nick's mind*
Nick continued to remain silent and absorb everything his father told him in regards to the Kerry Doherty affair. He was unsure of how to react to it. He didn't know whether he should be angry or shocked or relieved he got an answer at long last or just simply not react at all and move forward. Then again, how could one just move on after knowing their parent committed infidelity against the other parent and find out the reason why many many many many years or so later. One couldn't act like nothing happened and simply move on. Not for ethical, moral, or any other reasons. Nick knew he couldn't forget it despite the fact that the infidelity took place way back in the past. He just couldn't sweep it under the rug, but he also couldn't get too angry about it, because what was done was done and getting too angry over a past misgiving, especially when the person who did it was no longer among the living, wouldn't solve anything. This was a hard pill to swallow to say the very least.
"Nick." Tom spoke up.
No answer.
"Nick, I know it's a hard pill to swallow and you have every right to be angry with me, but you must remember that I am not perfect nor have I ever said I was." Tom told him.
"I...I know." Nick finally spoke up after a few more minutes of total silence on his part while still processing what Tom told him, "I just...I just can't believe that, because mother was suffering all kinds of moods after having me that you would lie to her and have an affair."
"Nick, I'm not proud of it, but I was young and very stupid. I didn't have the emotional maturity to handle her griping at me, having her own pity party, and all. I just didn't. I'm not trying to gather any sympathy, because I do not deserve it at all. I deserve zero sympathy for hurting the woman I love and disrespecting our marriage. However, I just hope you find it in your heart to forgive me and once you tell her or she reads my diary one day, she finds it in her heart to forgive me as well, because I never had a chance to tell her the reason behind it. I mean when we made up and worked on our marriage, I never found a reason to tell her the 'why'. She knew the 'what' like all of you kids did, but nobody ever knew the 'why'." Tom sighed and had a look of remorse in his eyes.
"Why didn't you ever tell us why you did what you did with Kerry?" Nick asked.
"I figured it was a waste of time to bring it up and plus, I was trying to work on bettering my marriage and my relationship with you kids. Why bring up an old wound?" Tom shrugged.
"You have a point there." Nick nodded.
"I am not proud of it and for what it's worth, I am so sorry. Truly, I am. I know sorry doesn't cut it by a long shot, but I never had the chance to truly say how sorry I am." Tom rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well, it was a horrible thing you did, but I forgive you. Usually, I would hold a grudge, but since I'm dead, why carry a grudge for all eternity. That being said, what was the idea behind Leah Thompson, Heath's mother? You probably promised to never commit infidelity a third time, but...you did and it produced brother Heath. Now, out with it." Nick told him in a very terse way.
"We're on the Leah Thompson subject, now?" Tom asked.
"Uh huh. Out with it." Nick nodded.
"Unlike Kerry Doherty, there is not much to tell about Leah Thompson." Tom started.
"What?" Nick got a perplexed look on his face.
(Now)
"Yeah, there's just not much to tell in regards to her. I-I mean it was different when I encountered her." Tom replied.
"How so? I mean unlike Kerry, you unknowingly got Leah pregnant after your rendezvous with her. Surely there was some fiery passion in that affair." Nick was not entirely convinced that there was not much to the Leah Thompson affair.
"Nick, there really wasn't much that went on in my encounter with Leah. I mean the intimate details...I don't remember doing anything with her. I really don't. All I remember is that I was stressed from working up at Barkley Mine and running the ranch plus business trips that I took my stress out on your mother. You can say that..." Tom paused and cleared his throat after feeling himself get misty eyed.
"You can say that what, father?" Nick asked.
"You can say that I made her cry. I yelled at her so much. Something I never ever ever ever thought I would do, but I did it." Tom sighed and put his head down, the regret clearly still eating at him now as it did then, "I yelled at her! I made the woman I love cry! What kind of brute does such a thing?"
"Now, father, don't beat yourself up over that. I know you didn't mean to yell at mother, you know you didn't, and most importantly, mother knows you didn't." Nick put a comforting hand on his father's shoulder.
"Oh, I know, Nick. I never meant to yell at that sweet woman, but I did and I made her cry. That's something I can never forgive myself for doing. I love her so much and it's bad enough I cheated twice with Kerry, but to take my stress out on her-" Tom was cut off.
"Father, you said so yourself, you're not perfect. You're just human. I mean it's wrong that you did those things, but you're still human. Plus, you're owning up to it instead of lying." Nick tried to reassure him.
"Yeah...Yeah, I guess that's true. However, I never meant to yell at your mother, make her cry, and cheat on her. I never meant to hurt her like I did." Tom shook his head.
"I know, father. I know. However, could we get back to the subject at hand?" Nick put his arm around Tom.
"Right. Anyways, after I did what I did, I stormed out of the house and went straight to the saloon. I didn't have an inch of regret for the first few minutes, but after a while, it dawned on me and man alive, the guilt was eating me alive. I couldn't take it, but as bad as I felt about yelling at your mother and making her cry, I knew I couldn't just go back home and act like nothing had happened. I couldn't." Tom poured himself some more whiskey and downed it, "That's when she came over to me."
"She...Leah?" Nick asked.
"Uh huh. I didn't know her name at the time, but yes, this time, it was Leah. Leah came over to me and asked if I was alright. She must've noticed the look of guilt on my face, because why else would she ask, right? Anyways, I told her what had happened and she tried to cheer me up by telling me that it I didn't mean to do what I did and how if I apologized to my wife, she would be understanding. I mean Leah said all of the right things and it was a great comfort. Of course, that was while we were sober. After a few drinks, things got hazy and then...everything went black." Tom told him.
"Everything went black? You mean you don't remember what happened after a few drinks?" Nick was slightly confused by this.
"Nope. Not a thing. Something must've happened, because the next thing I remember is waking up in Leah's bed and our clothes being strewn all over the place." Tom looked up at nothing in particular, as the moment was playing out in his mind.
Nick didn't say anything due to being bug eyed and shocked by the details he got so far.
"Really? Like you've never had that happen, Nick!" Tom gave him his "really?" look.
Nick still didn't say anything nor did the expression on his face change.
"Really, Nick, really?" Tom tilted his head to the side for a moment.
"Father...just...just...think about what you said..." Nick started while still sporting the same expression, only his eyes weren't bulging out this time.
"Uh huh and?" Tom wasn't sure where this was headed.
"You being in bed...and your clothes all...strewn...around. I'm picturing it father and it's..." Nick cringed.
"Nick, will you grow up? Now, Leah and I were both consenting adults when that happened just like your mother and I-" Tom was cut off.
"Father, I don't wanna hear that! That stuff is...that stuff is...private." Nick cringed, again.
"I know, but-" Tom was cut off, again.
"Let's get back to the Leah Thompson affair before we go south." Nick clearly wanted to get back to the topic at hand before things got a little more...well, you know.
"Okay. Well, like I said, I woke up in Leah's bed and our clothes being strewn around everywhere. Naturally, I was confused and having a terrible hangover. Getting drunk results in getting a hangover once you come off the drunk feeling. Anyways, I didn't remember how I got there or what I was doing in another woman's bed. All I know is that I yelled at your mother & made her cry, stormed off to the saloon, felt guilty after a while, met Leah, then everything in between is just a blur, and the next morning, I'm naked in her bed with a terrible hangover. That's all. The in between stuff is like a fog. Then again, getting drunk will cause that fog. As I laid there moaning and rubbing my head while trying to put the pieces together, Leah came in and asked what I was doing there." Tom continued.
"Huh?" Nick was all confused now.
"That was my reaction, because I was thinking: 'Lady, this is your house and you had to have known that you brought me back here plus that something intimate happened.' before realizing that she must've been as drunk as I apparently had been since neither of us remembered a single thing and were horrified at what we discovered. I simply told her that we must've had a few too many drinks and carried our conversation back to her place then something happened, but it was a huge blur, because the moments between the night before and that moment are making both of us draw a blank. Leah agreed, because all she remembered was us introducing ourselves and talking before everything went foggy. I asked her how come she didn't notice me in her bed at first since she had to have gotten up at some point and went about her routine before coming back into the bedroom and seeing me. She told me that the reason she didn't notice me at first was, because the room was very dark and I must've been entirely covered by the sheets including my head, before asking if I would like a bowl of stew and a cup of coffee. I said thanks, but no thanks and that I best be heading off. In other words going back home and she said she understood and hoped that my wife and I make up." Tom took a deep breath after saying all of that and kept going, "Once she left the room, I got dressed and left. As soon as I got back home, I ran up to your mother, apologized for my boorish behavior the day before, and explained my stress though saying that it was still no excuse to snap at her."
"Interesting. Well, I can see why there was not much to say in regards to the Leah Thompson affair. You two met at the saloon, got drunk off your behinds, and everything went black before you woke up the next morning confused with a hangover, the in between being a huge fog as you said. Right?" Nick raised both eyebrows.
"Yes sir, that's how it happened. That's the whole thing from start to finish." Tom nodded.
"Uh huh. I take it that you never told mother." Nick replied.
"No and for two reasons. One, everything that happened in between the night before and the next morning was a blur and nobody can explain the events that go on during a drunken blur & two, I was so focused on wanting to make peace with your mother that I didn't feel the need to bring up Leah and what all I knew. That being said, you guys found out not too long after I was gone. Especially when Heath showed up and told what he knew." Tom explained.
"You have a point there, father. However, I just-" Nick was cut off, yet again.
"I know, I know. You can't reconcile it and I understand." Tom nodded.
"Well, father, I don't think anybody can ever truly reconcile infidelity, but what's done is done. Of course, after getting the 'why' and the details of what happened during the three times you committed infidelity thus breaking the commandment on adultery, it is taking me time to process it and to react to it. I mean one part of me is angry at the betrayal, but the other part of me understands that you were young and immature. I am just all confused on how to take things. That being said I know I'll eventually get past it. Eventually." Nick walked around the room.
"Well, if you can't, you can read my diary and letters I wrote out of regret and being prepared to be ousted from the family. Maybe those may help in the whole forgiveness process." Tom suggested.
"It may help mother and everyone else, but not me. I have all of eternity." Nick sat down and rested his cheek on his fist, "Father, when did you have that encounter with Leah?"
"A long time ago." Tom told him.
"No, I mean-I mean before or after Audra was born?" Nick asked.
"Before. You see-" Tom was interrupted.
"You cheated on mother while she was pregnant?" Nick raised an eyebrow.
Tom gave him a look and smacked him upside the head, clearly annoyed at that question and not wanting to dignify it with a verbal response.
"Ouch! You know I have a sensitive spot back there!" Nick immediately started rubbing his head.
"Sensitive spot my foot! Everywhere on your body had a "sensitive spot" at different times." Tom made air quotes with his fingers.
"You could've put a dent in the back of my beautiful head!" Nick was still rubbing his head.
"Get over yourself and your looks. In fact, maybe Carmine doesn't like your looks and as impossible as it is for you to believe, some people won't actually like your good looks." Tom smirked and shook his head.
Pretty soon, the father and son duo busted up laughing. It had been a while since either men had a belly laugh as they called 'em. Sure, Nick had moments where he laughed his behind off, but never to this degree, especially after Tom was murdered. For as long as he could remember, that was one of the many things that brought the two close; they both had an infectious laugh and could have belly laughs over things that didn't seem funny to the other Barkleys.
After a few minutes, the laughter started to cease and both men wiped their eyes as they had laughed until they cried.
"Okay. Alright...Alright, let's get back to the topic at hand before you clearly insulted my beautiful looks." Nick was trying to sound serious, but was not very convincing due to have some laughter left over.
"You don't make things easy, do you?" Tom smirked.
"Nope." Nick shook his head, "And who did I get that from?"
"Touche." Tom shook his head and still had that smirk on his face.
"Father." Nick put his serious face back on.
"Right. Well, I realized way later on that I had that encounter with Leah a year before your mother beat the odds." Tom started.
"What odds and how later?" Nick asked.
"After I was gone and in regards to the odds...giving birth to Audra let alone getting pregnant and going to full term. That very day that I yelled at your mother, she had been to the doctor and was told in no uncertain terms that she may not be able to have anymore children let alone handle childbirth, especially after she went through an excruciating labor with you and Jarrod prior. Plus, she was told that even if she could, the next baby may pass away, because Jarrod almost did and you were stillborn until I dipped you in cold water. That got you going. Anyways, the doctor delivered that news and as you can see, it crushed your mother, because she and I noticed you boys were thriving quickly and we wanted to give you two a sibling. Also, we wanted to dote on a baby again. So, hearing that she may not be able to handle the labor or have anymore kids plus knowing that the next one may pass on just broke your mother's heart." Tom continued, before shaking his head and getting a look of regret on his face, "There your mother was delivered the worst news which made her feel horrible about herself and what did I do? I hollered at her then I go off, meet a woman, get drunk, and wake up the next morning in a bed that I had no business being in. That's the kind of person, I am. Here, I ended my first tryst with Kerry Doherty years prior and made a vow then I break it again by having a drunken one night stand with Leah Thompson then many many many many years later, I'm at it with Kerry again. This time, you kids are older. Man alive, if I could have a do over, I would do it over and never ever get with Kerry or Leah. Ever! I would erase that, but what's done is done."
"Yeah, what's done is done, but we have all of eternity to talk it over." Nick nodded.
"No...no, we don't." Tom shook his head.
"What do you mean? I'm dead. I'm stone cold dead." Nick insisted.
"No, Nick...you're not dead." Tom looked Nick right in the eyes.
"What are you talki-I don't understand. If I'm not dead, how come I'm talking to you?" Nick was taken aback by this.
Tom motioned for Nick to follow him over to a window which he opened and whisked away fog.
"What are-What's this?" Nick had a weird look on his face.
"Take a look, son." Tom stepped aside.
"Hey...Hey! Hey, that's me. I'm...I'm..." Nick was at a loss of words, yet again after looking into what appeared to be a mirage.
"Uh huh. You're unconscious and have been for almost an hour and a half. You will be waking up soon." Tom looked into the mirage.
"I will?" Nick tilted his head to the side.
"That's right, son. You will be waking up very very soon." Tom nodded and put his hand on Nick's back.
"But...But..." Nick was at a loss for words, once again.
"Well, Nick, aren't you glad to know you're not dead?" Tom asked.
"Part of me says "Yes" and another part of me says "No". I mean I am glad & relieved, but I hate that I will be leaving you soon and we didn't get much of a chance to talk. All I did was apologize and badger you. We didn't really talk." Nick sighed, before walking away from the mirage.
"What are you talking about?" Tom closed the mirage and walked over to Nick, "We did indeed talk. In fact, we talked about things that we never had the chance to plus air out some things."
"Well, I guess...we...uh did that, but-" Nick was cut off.
"But nothing, Nick. You finally got the chance to apologize to me although there was no apology necessary. You had the right to feel the way you feel. Not only about Father Carmichael and his misdeeds, but the misdeeds I committed. Like you said, you looked up to both of us. Me, because...well, a son always idolizes his father...usually. Father Carmichael, because as you stated, after I was murdered, you felt you could go to him and confide into him about everything you were feeling. In a sense, he was the second father figure to you like how your uncle Jim was to Audra during the aftermath of my murder. Like how Jarrod's law school professor/mentor Strickland was to him during that time and your uncle Joe was to Eugene. You kids all had a different father-like person to lean on and unfortunately, Father Carmichael proved to be the exact opposite of the person you thought he was. So, naturally, just like my thrice infidelity, you freaked out after finding out about Father Carmichael stealing money and living a dishonest life. Plus, it is also natural for a parent and their child to feud for a while and say things they don't mean. It's all part of the game, Nick. That being said, so is forgiveness. I forgave you and now, you, my dear son, need to work on forgiving yourself." Tom put his hand on Nick's arm.
"I know, father, but-" Nick cut himself off.
"But what?" Tom asked.
"But...But...But...Volo Manere." Nick replied.
"Volo Manere?" Tom raised an eyebrow.
"That's Latin for...I wanna stay." Nick told him.
"You wanna stay? Why?" Tom was thrown off.
"Part of me wants to stay. Part of me just isn't...just isn't...ready to say...goodbye." Nick shook his head.
"Nick, nobody is ever ready to say "Goodbye". Nobody is, son. However, "goodbye" is what we all say at funerals when it comes to a loved one's death. It's just what we say. It isn't the final thing." Tom started.
"It isn't?" Nick asked.
"Nope. Just, because we say 'goodbye', doesn't mean that is it. It's all over. It's just something we say, because in actuality, our loved ones will always be with us and a part of us. They may not be with us physically, but they are there with us in spirit, in our hearts, and the memories we had, even if those memories are short lived like with Jarrod and Beth or Stefania and Dominique. Our loved ones don't leave us forever. Sure they leave us in the physical form, but they never truly leave as they are and always will be in our minds and hearts." Tom smiled.
"That...That's beautiful, father." Nick choked back the tears that were threatening to spill.
Just then, the door opened again and in came not only Beth, but Dominique alongside her, this time.
"Nick, it is almost time for you to return, but before you do, Dominique wanted to meet you." Beth stepped aside, so Dominique could walk up to Nick.
"Piacere di conoscerti, signor Barkley. Potresti passare un messaggio a Stefania ? (Nice to meet you, Mr. Barkley. Could you pass a message to Stefania?)" Dominique walked up to Nick and shook his hand.
"Hello, Dominique. I'm sorry, but I didn't understand that." Nick shook her hand.
"She said it is nice to meet you and asked if you could pass a message to Stefania." Beth translated what Dominique said.
"You know Italian?" Nick was surprised.
"I was in Italy for a vacation or retreat if you will and decided to pick up the language. Out of respect, of course." Beth smiled.
"That's amazing, Beth. Jarrod would be very fascinated by that and so would Stefania. Speaking of Stefania, I will definitely pass a message along. What is the message?" Nick smiled.
"So che Stefania non ha mai significato per me annegare come ho fatto io. È stato solo un brutto incidente e anche se non ce n'è bisogno, la perdono. Non ho nulla contro di lei. (I know Stefania never meant for me to drown like I did. It was just a bad accident and even though, there is no need for it, I forgive her. I hold nothing against her.)" Dominique told him.
"She said to tell Stefania that she knows she never meant for the drowning to happen. It was a bad accident and she forgives her even though there's no need for forgiveness or apologies." Beth translated.
"I certainly will pass that to Stefania." Nick nodded.
"Dille che la amo molto e che cerchi di perdonarsi. (Tell her, I love her very much and to try to forgive herself)." Dominique added.
"She said to tell Stefania that she loves her very much and to try to forgive herself." Beth passed the message to Nick.
"I sure will. You know, I think self forgiveness is something Stefania and I are both going to have to work on." Nick replied, before kneeling down to Dominique's level after she gestured "come here" followed by pointing downward.
"Un'altra cosa... prenditi cura di Stefania. È la mia migliore amica. (One more thing...take care of Stefania. She's my very best friend)." Dominique pulled Nick close to her so that they were on the same eye level.
"She said for you to take care of Stefania, because she is her very best friend." Beth told him.
"I will. I promise. I promise with all my heart." Nick looked into Dominique's eyes.
Dominique, apparently convinced, smiled and pulled Nick into a hug.
"I promise, Dominique. I promise." Nick said, before pulling away from the hug after a few minutes and walking a few feet back towards the door, "Well, I...I guess...I should be heading back."
Tom and Beth didn't say anything and only nodded.
"Father?" Nick turned to his father.
"Yes, son?" Tom asked.
Nick walked up and pulled him into a tight hug, burying his face into his shoulder. Tom hold onto Nick very tightly as well while Beth and Dominique exchanged glances before looking back at the father/son duo and smiling.
After a few more minutes of the embrace, both men breathed a sigh of relief before breaking away from it. Nick then walked over to Beth and Dominique & pulled them into a quick hug, before walking over to the door and opening it.
"Arrivederci, signor Barkley. (Bye, Mr. Barkley)." Dominique waved at Nick.
"Arrivederci, Dominique." Nick nodded to Dominique before turning to his sister-in-law and father, "Goodbye, Beth. Goodbye...father."
"Goodbye, Nick. Oh and please, tell Jarrod that I love and miss him & that it is okay to move on and find love, again. I want him to be happy and I know he'll always love me. Plus, to please, forgive himself for what happened to me." Beth told him.
"I will, Beth. I will." Nick nodded to Beth before making eye contact with his father, "I love you, father. I'll...be seeing ya."
"I love you too, son and anytime you need to talk, I'll be around." Tom nodded.
Nick nodded before turning around and walking through the door.
To Be Continued...
Nick: Whoa! Where-Where am I?
Jarrod: Nick!
Stefania: Nick!
Victoria: Where are you, Nick?
Carmine: R&R, people! Read and Review!