CH 28

Nikolas opened his eyes and they began to water, last night must have been a dream. He didn’t see Gia anywhere. He sat up in bed and looked to his left, the blankets were pulled back like someone had slept there. He wearily got out of bed, put on a robe and headed downstairs. As he descended down the stairs he could hear the sound of laughter, it was a laugh he knew well, one he had missed so much. Nik pushed open the door to the kitchen to find Gia sipping a cup of tea, talking to his uncle. And they were laughing. “No Nikolas never told me about that!” Gia said smiling. “What he didn’t tell you how he use to run around in a cape and pretend he was superman?” Stefan asked. “No, I WAS superman.” Nik chimed in as he walked behind Gia and put his hand on her shoulder. Gia smiled up at him and she reached up and placed her hand over his. “I never figured you for the superman type Nikolas.” Gia said. Something dawned on Nikolas and he looked across the table at his uncle. “Uncle I thought you were leaving this morning?” Nik asked. Stefan smiled and looked over at Gia. “Well Gia convinced me that you might need my support still. We think that you should be surrounded by people who love you right now.” Stefan said smiling at Nikolas. All Nik could do was nod his head and thank his uncle. “And I want to be here when the baby is born so I thought I would stay until then?” Stefan asked in a hopeful tone. A bright smile spread across Nik’s face. “I would love to have you stay that long.” Nik said going over and giving him a hug. “Well, I need to go over to Alexis’s but I’ll be back later.” Stefan said as he headed to the door. Nik and Gia said goodbye and watched the door close behind Stefan, Nik and Gia were alone now.

Nik quietly went over to the coffee machine and poured himself a cup of coffee. He sat in the chair across from Gia and quietly sat and sipped his coffee. He was afraid to do or say anything in fear of ending this moment. Gia sat and ran her finger along the top of her mug. “God I’m dieing for a fucking cup of coffee!” Gia exclaimed out of nowhere. Nikolas was so shocked that he began to laugh historically. Gia laughed as well and the smiled lingered on their faces as they looked at each other. “It’s so nice to have you here Gia. How long do you plan on staying?” Nik dared to ask. Gia looked down in thought and then looked up again. She smiled shyly at him. “I was thinking that maybe I could move back in with you. If that’s Ok with you?” Gia asked. Nik’s eyes widened. “If that’s OK? Gia I would love for you to move back in.” Nik said reaching out and grabbing her hand. “But Nikolas, things need to change. I won’t go back to the way things were. I won’t put up with that crap.” Gia said firmly. Nik nodded his head agreeing. “I’ve changed Gia, I have.” Nik said. “Good.” Gia said smiling.

“So what are your plans for today?” Gia asked Nik as she finished her last sip of tea. “Well I have an appointment with Drew but I suddenly don’t feel like going anymore.” Nik said. “Nikolas, you should really go. How about I go with you?” Gia suggested. “Oh I would love for you to come meet everybody.” Nik said smiling. “It’s settled then. I’ll go get ready.” Gia said. She stood to get up but Nik grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. He leaned in and placed a sweet kiss on her lips. She smiled and kissed him back. “I’m not going anywhere Nikolas. I’m home now.” Gia said as she pulled away. Nik nodded and watched Gia disappear from the kitchen door.

~Drew’s office~

“Drew, I would like for you to meet my wife, Gia Cassadine.” Nik said as his hand lingered on Gia’s back. Gia extended her hand out to shake his; they shook hands and smiled politely at each other. “Gia I’ve heard a lot about you. Maybe you can come join us in a bit and we can all talk?” Drew suggested. Gia nodded and kissed Nikolas before she stepped out of the room. “So she forgave you?” Drew asked as he and Nik sat down. “Not exactly, she’s still a little hesitant to trust me again. But she has moved back in and she said she will help me get through whatever this thing is.” Nik said. Drew nodded his head. “Well maybe we can get to what it is today.” Drew said.

~Drew’s Living room~

“Gia, it’s nice to meet you. Why don’t you come and sit with me?” Drew’s wife Isabel said as she headed to the couch. Gia walked over to the couch and sat down. She liked Drew’s wife. Gia didn’t really have very many woman friends so it was not as easy as one might think for her to like this woman right away. As soon as they sat down a baby cry could be heard from the other room. Isabel excused herself from the room and headed down the hall. When she came back, she had a beautiful baby boy in her arms. “He’s beautiful.” Gia smiling at him as Isabel sat in the couch across from Gia. Gia was shocked when Isabel began to nurse the baby right there in front of her. “Does that hurt?” Gia asked. “It’s a good hurt.” Isabel said smiling at Gia. Gia started to have a mini panic attack as she watched Isabel nurse her baby. “I don’t know anything about raising a baby.” Gia said. Izzy smiled at the look of panic on her face. “You’ll be a great mother. I have some books to loan you. They won’t tell you anything but it might make you feel better to read something.” Izzy said. “Thank you.” Gia said nodding. “Momma I’m awake now!” Liv announced as she entered the room “Good for you honey.” Izzy said smiling at Gia. “Who are you?” Liv asked as she stood next to arm of the couch that Gia was on. “I’m Gia.” She said smiling. “Nik’s wife?” Liv asked. Gia was shocked. “Yes Nik’s wife." Gia said. “Well it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Liv said extending her little three-year-old hand out to Gia. Gia smiled at the little girl and shook her hand. “Nikolas, talks about you all the time. It’s so clear how much he loves you.” Izzy said looking over at Gia. Gia had tears in her eyes as she looked back at her new friend. “Well I love him too.” She said.

~Drew’s Office~

“Now what do you say we bring Gia in here?” Drew asked Nik. Nik nodded and waited while Drew went out and then came back in with Gia in tow. “Have a seat please Gia.” Drew said as he pointed to the spot on the couch next to Nikolas. Gia sat down; she took a deep breath and then smiled at the two men. “Nikolas maybe you should start by telling Gia about your dream?” Drew suggested. Nik looked at the floor nervously. “I don’t think I can.” Nik mumbled. Gia reached over and took his face in her hands, she held his gaze to her eyes. “Nikolas, I love you and what ever your dream is, you can tell me. I won’t freak out, I promise.” Gia said in a strong voice. Nik shook his head and kissed Gia quickly before he began. He told Gia every detail of his dream. By the time he was done, he had tears streaming down his face. “I understand if you never want to see me again.” Nik said through his tears. Gia had tears in her eyes as well, but she was shocked that he would say that. “Nikolas, I’m so sorry you’ve been having these dreams. Oh Nicky you must have been so scared.” Gia said as she leaned in to hug him. Nik clung to Gia and cried, partly from sadness and partly from relief. “I was so afraid that you would be scared of me. I thought you would think I was a monster.” Nik said. “I would never think that Nikolas. You scared me for a while there, but I knew that you were still the same Nikolas I loved. That’s why I gave you some space, so that you could work things out.” Gia said as she held his hands in hers. “Thank you Gia.” Nik whispered as he pulled her in for another hug.