Pushed Away CH 24

Stefan had helped Nikolas, they had sat down and gone through all of the business that Nik thought was so important. Stefan helped him to realize that they were not as important as he thought. He also pointed out that Nikolas was being too much of a perfectionist and that he was trying too hard to impress people. Nik knew that this is was what Gia was trying to tell him all along. But the fact that it was coming from his uncle, the man that he craved approval from was some how different. Stefan would be staying for another couple of days so that he and Nikolas could spend a little more time together just the two of them before he left. At the moment he was visiting Alexis and Kristina.

With Stefan’s help, Nik was feeling closer to having Gia back. Now he just had to focus on his sessions with Drew more then anything. The dream that he had been having for months now, scared the hell out of him. Every time he looked at Gia he would see flashes of her face in his dream. Crying, begging for him to stop and her horrifying screams. He needed to figure out what they were about and how he can stop having them.

As he sat at his desk, Nik pulled out a piece of paper that Gia had given him. He smiled at her familiar handwriting. The date of her ultrasound was two days away and he couldn’t wait. Not just to see the first stage of his baby growing inside the woman he loves, but to just be with Gia. He couldn’t stop thinking about her since he saw her at the park the other day. He closed his eyes as he pictures her face in his head. If he tried really hard he could remember exactly how she smelled, how she tasted, how her tongue felt as it explored the depths of his mouth. He opened his eyes, tears silently slipped down his face as he looked around and was reminded that she wasn’t there. He wiped away his tears when there was a knock at the door.

Nik looked up to Mrs. Landsberry who had come in the doorway. “Mr. Jackson is here.” She announced. “Thank you Mrs. Landsberry, please let him in.” Nik said smiling at her. Casey came in and smiled at Nik. “Hey man, what’s up?” He asked. “Oh nothing much, I’m just going through some stuff to try and cut down on my work load.” Nik said. “Oh yeah, how’s that going?” Casey asked as he sat in the chair across from Nik’s desk. Casey picked up a paperweight from Nik’s desk and began to toss it back and forth between his hands as he looked at Nik. Nik looked over at the man sitting across form him, he was the closest to a friend other than Drew that he had right now. “It’s going good man, we’ve made a lot of changes and we figured out a way for me to have a lot more time with my family.” Nik said. Casey nodded slowly. “Your wife, Gia is something else.” Casey said. “Yes she is.” Nik said. “You know I saw her the other night?” Casey said. Nik’s eyebrows knitted in confusion. “You saw Gia, where?” Nik asked. “Oh she was at that place Luke’s.” Casey said. “Oh yeah she goes there a lot, she and Luke have a special relationship.” Nik said. “Yeah he’s not the only one she has a special relationship with.” Casey said slightly under his breath, but loud enough for Nik to hear. Nik eyed him for a moment. “What are you saying?” Nik asked. “Oh well she was with your brother, they looked pretty friendly if you ask me. Yeah she even gave him a kiss when he got there.” Casey said. He sat back and watched Nik’s face fill with hurt and secretly felt satisfied. “I’m sorry man but it looks like you’ve pushed your wife a little too close to your brother.” Casey said. Nik just sat there, numb at Casey’s words. As memories of Gia and Lucky together, slashed in his mind. The little moments he had witnessed between the two. Gia looked so happy when she was with him. “Oh hey man I’ve got to go. I just wanted to come by and see how you were doing. I have a lot to do today but I’ll talk to you later.” Casey said heading out the door. His back was turned; hiding the smile he had on his face.

Nik looked over at the picture of Gia that was sitting on his desk. It was stunning, her sparkling eyes and her million dollar smile. “Sparky.” He whispered as he ran his hand along her cheek, his chest felt heavy, as the coldness of the glass was a reminder that it was only a picture. Tears were falling down his face as he looked at her beautiful face. He’s lost her forever, to his brother. And why? Because he pushed them together, it was all his fault. Gia will stay with his brother and let him raise his baby. His cries were once again interrupted by a knock at the door. This time when he looked up, it wasn’t Mrs. Landsberry in the doorway. It was his brother.

Nik stared at his brother who had the audacity to be smiling. The rage he felt in that moment was like nothing he’d ever felt before. He stood up and moved around his desk, saying nothing. Just staring at his brother, the man his wife was in love with. “Nikolas what’s wrong?” Lucky asked. Nik tried to laugh but it came out sounding more like sobs.

In an instant Lucky was being pinned to the wall, looking down at his brother’s grief-stricken face. He didn’t even know how he got in this position so quickly. “What’s wrong? WHAT'S WRONG?!” Nik screamed, pushing against his brother viciously with every word. “How…how could you do this to me?” Nik said, as tears streamed down his face. Lucky was in shock. He had never seen his brother this way. Tears stung his eyes as he stared down at his face. “Nikolas I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Lucky said desperately. “I asked you to spend time with my wife, not sleep with her.” Nik said, slightly loosening his grip on Lucky’s shirt collar. “Nikolas what are you talking about?” Lucky asked in confusion. “Casey told me about seeing you and Gia kiss. It all makes since. I always thought it was a possibility but I never thought you would do that to me.” Nik said pushing himself away from his brother and turning away from him. “Casey? Casey told you this?” Lucky asked. “It doesn’t matter who said it Lucky!” Nik yelled as he turned around. “You know how much I love her.” Nik said through his tears. “Nikolas, you can’t believe anything that guy says.” Lucky said. Nik turned around and looked at his brother. “I’m not stupid Lucky! I have two eyes and I can see what’s going on here!” Nik yelled. “I just didn’t think you would hurt me like that.” Nik said in a whisper. “Nikolas I..” “You need to go away Lucky. I can’t look at you right now. I need to be by myself!” Nik cut him off. “Nikolas please, hear me out.” Lucky pleaded. “I said go LUCKY!!” Nik screamed. Tears were now freely flowing from Lucky’s eyes. He slowly nodded his head and walked out. As soon as the door was shut, Nik cried out in pain as he thought about his wife. She was in love with another man. All his plans for Gia and the baby to move back home were ruined. She didn’t love him any more. He dropped to the floor, sat on his knees and sobbed. “Gia!” He cried out as he lay down on the floor and wept.

Lucky stood outside his brother’s door and his heart was breaking as he listened to the sounds of his sobs. His chest began to contract as the panic of his brother hating him swept over his body. Once the fear subsided, anger set in. His jaw clinched and his fists balled up. He walked off with one thing on his mind; he was going to find Casey Jackson.