Chapter 31

Andrea and Nicky sat outside Shane's room. They had arrived at the hospital relieving Kian and Emily with still no change in Shane's condition. Nicky softly rubbed Andrea's back, her stomach still hurting from the morning sickness. Nicky had surprised Andrea with a wonderful breakfast, she happily consumed it but soon found herself in the bathroom getting sick.

"Feeling better?" Nicky asked moving up to her neck.

"Getting there." Andrea smiled, his touch feeling so good. Nicky was becoming the comfort that she needed at the moment.

Down at the end of the hallway, Mark was carrying Bailey with Sidney walking next to him. Nicky watched the two, seeing a look of fatherhood on Mark's face, the pure love in Sidney's eyes holding Bailey's hand. Mark slowly rubbed Bailey's back, soothing the little lad. Nicky couldn't help but notice how good Sidney and Mark look together. The three of them actually looked like a family. Sidney saw Nicky and Andrea sitting on the bench, Nicky rubbing Andrea's neck. Sidney suddenly felt a surge of jealousy but quickly dismissed it.

"What's wrong?" Nicky said standing up, the threesome approaching them.

"Bailey woke up with a fever so we rushed him to the hospital. He's going to be fine but it scared the hell out of us." Mark said shifting Bailey and shaking Nicky's hand.

"Are you alright?" Nicky asked looking at Sidney wondering how Mark happened to be at Sidney house, late, to be there when Bailey won't up with a fever.

"Just tired." Sidney gave him a small smile, eyeing his hand that was gently on Andrea's back.

"I'm going to take Sidney and Bailey home. I'll be back later." Mark stood in the awkwardness between Nicky and Sidney, hoping to see no light or spark between them.

"Did you sleep?" Sidney asked taking Andrea's hand breaking her away from Nicky's touch.

"I actually did. And Nicky made a wonderful breakfast for me this morning." Andrea smiled at Nicky.

"But the baby didn't like it." Nicky sweetly patted Andrea's stomach.

"What hotel are you staying at?" Sidney asked quickly not sure what to think.

"He stayed at my house. By the time he dropped me off and we had some tea, it was too late." Andrea looked at Sidney, knowing exactly what she was thinking. She knew Sidney and she knew her insecurities. It was those insecurities that Sidney and Andrea didn't talk a whole year in college over a misunderstanding of a boy. Andrea had confidence, Sidney didn't. Even at the age of twenty-six, Sidney still felt Andrea was treading on her Nicky.

"He slept on the couch." Andrea added, staring at Sidney.

"We need to get Bailey home." Mark said brushing Sidney's arm.

"Um...yeah. We should." Sidney looked up at Mark smiling.

"I would like to have dinner with you, Sidney." Nicky slowly took her hand, not liking the fact that Mark just referred to Sidney's home as his. "We need to talk." The hair on Mark's neck stood up, catching Nicky's eye. Nicky looked away, staring at Sidney. He softly squeezed her hand, just like he had done before.

"If Bailey is feeling better, you're welcome to come over." Sidney smiled. Mark looked down at the ground. "In fact, why don't you come over also Andrea, you need a good meal. Not that Nicky's aren't any good. His breakfast, I mean. I've had them before, his breakfast, I mean. Mark makes the best fish and chips." Sidney dropped Nicky's hand and took Mark's.

"That sounds great, if Bailey is feeling better." Andrea gently hit Nicky's hand.

"Yah, that'll be nice." Nicky chimed in. Sidney and Mark said their good-byes and walked out of the hospital to the car. Mark put Bailey in the back-seat, held the door for Sidney as she gave him a soft, passionate kiss.

"What was that for?" Mark asked grinning.

"Just reminding you how much you love me." Sidney smiled and got in the car.

Alex softly nibbled on Bryan's ear, gently waking him up. He opened his eyes to see the most beautiful Alex next to him. It wasn't a dream; they made love last night.

"Good morning, Sunshine." Alex said grinning. Lightly stroking his chest.

"Morning beautiful." Bryan leaned over kissing her lips. "I couldn't ask for a better way to wake up."

"I could." Alex said moving her body on top of him. Bryan brushed back her hair from her face, Alex moving down kissing his chest. "That is if you are awake." She said smiling.

"It doesn't matter if I am awake. HE is awake." Bryan pulled her closer to him, rolling her over as he ran his hands on her body, kissing and touching.

"We probably should be getting to the hospital." Alex said staring at Bryan. She bit her lower lip in excitement. Last night was wonderful for her; it was everything she had imagined. Bryan was more of a lover then she hoped for. She had laid quietly that morning watching him sleep, silently thanking God for saving herself for someone like Bryan.

"We should." Bryan smiled. "But first thing first." He moved into position, Alex anticipating the thrill.

"I love you, Bryan." Alex said softly feeling the closeness.

"I love you, Alexandria." Bryan kissed her lips and the passion took them over. Passion and exhaustion.

"Mother, I want Taylor here." Emily said sitting down at her kitchen table. Kian stood by the stove preparing a breakfast for them. "I know it's a lot of money to send her but I don't feel..." Emily stopped as Mrs. Daniel's continued arguing with her daughter.

"Mother, I will come up with the money somehow..." Emily was interrupted again by her mother. It had been a strain on the Daniel's, keeping Taylor safe from David, answering Taylor's questions about her father and paying for the private schools to keep Taylor from the public eye. David had connections, he had tried one time before to kidnap Taylor when she was in Nursery school. Even though David was in jail, he had a long arm that  still controlled Emily. David could care less about his own daughter. The daughter that he forced into the world. Taylor was nothing but a way to get to Emily. He didn't even love Emily but he loved the control that he had over her.

"Mother, please." Emily said pleading with her mother. She looked at Kian for help. He stood looking at her, trying to think of a way to help Emily and Taylor.  "You know what David can..." Emily was interrupted by Kian taking the phone from her.

"Mrs. Daniel's, I will have the money wired to you. Please book Taylor a flight as soon as you get the money. Thank you." Kian hung up the phone. He quickly dialed the club accountant and had the transaction done.

"Kian, I didn't..." Kian softly kissed Emily, taking her in his arms.

"I know you didn't. But I did. Now let's eat and then get some things for Taylor's room. I was thinking that I could make some shelves for her. And maybe a toy chest that matched the shelves." Kian said using his hands to describe the action.

"All today?" Emily laughed.

"Sure." Kian kissed her cheek softly and then finished the breakfast. Emily watched him, amazed how lucky she was to have Kian. He took charge of the situation because he loved her and Taylor. No man had ever done that. Somehow the dream would come crashing down on her, it always did.