“Where to next, boss?”
“I need to take care of some things on my own. I will see you back in Chicago.”
“I can stay, Jack. Whatever you need.”
“Thank you for that. I just need to be on my own for a while.”
I found myself driving around for hours with no destination in sight. Had I stepped so far out of bounds that I was willing to risk losing Sara and possibly my freedom to avenge my daughter?
I’d never forget when she told us her unexpected news. She was so happy, probably the happiest I had ever seen her. It was Thanksgiving, our first holiday together in Chicago since they left for California. I had been over the moon when Nicolette phoned me and asked if I would host the holiday at our restaurant. The Paulson clan would also be joining us, minus Jacob and Cameron. Cameron had a game that weekend, and their oldest son, Jacob, hadn’t been in touch for a while. I was told not to add them to the list. I didn’t care, though. All I wanted was my girl back in her home…back with me.
I closed the restaurant down the entire week of the holiday. My customers weren’t happy with my decision, but this was a time to celebrate my girl’s homecoming. Sara worked tirelessly along with our other chef to create the perfect menu including all of Nicolette’s favorites. Simon’s brothers were known to eat second and third portions, so we made sure we had plenty of food on hand. Only Andrew would be joining us. His team was the New England Patriots, and AFC teams had off for the holiday. Cameron was a New York Giant, so I knew that either during dinner or after, my bar would be booming with cheers for him playing on TV. He was a brilliant running back and a showstopper at every game he played in.
With the preparations all in place, all we needed were our guests to arrive. Nicolette wanted to be here before Wednesday, but her husband couldn’t get away and didn’t want her flying without him. I loved that boy—or should I say young man. He had been devoted to my girl since the first day they met. He was there from the darkest days to the brightest of days when they finally got their happily ever after and were married. They defied the odds and made it to the other side. And now after all of this time, we are all going to be together as two families celebrated Thanksgiving as one. What better holiday to appreciate all you had been given than Thanksgiving!
“What time is it, Sara? They should be here by now. Are you sure we checked the right flight number?”
“Yes and yes. Mason called from the car. They are just caught in some traffic, but nothing to worry about. What has you so nervous?”
“I know I sound crazy. I’m just excited to see my girl.”
“Honey, you know not to speak that way in front of Mason and Christina, right?”
“And why not? She’s my daughter, Sara, and I really don’t give a rat’s ass on how it affects my dear brother.”
“Okay, honey, this is not the greatest time to bring this very sensitive subject up, but you should care about how you speak of Nicolette, because it pains her deeply when you and Mason butt heads. She’s not traveling all the way here with her entire family so that she could referee you two. It’s certainly not fair to our guests and to me. I planned every last detail down to the place cards for this holiday, and I’m asking you, my love—more like telling you—to behave yourself.”
“Come here, so I can kiss you madly. God! Woman, I love you.”
“And I love you too, Jack, but I was being serious. No one knows better than I do where this stems from, but now is not the time to go there. Better yet, please let it go.”
“How can you say this to me after everything this family has endured to get to this moment? When the truth came out about her paternity, I was elated at the fact that I didn’t have to hide it anymore from her. And before you go on with another lecture, I know she belongs to Mason, but hell, she’s mine too. She’s this family’s miracle. Don’t you see that, Sara? When you survived your cancer, it was an awakening for me. I took nothing for granted, and all I wanted to do was please you and make you smile.”
“You do that, Jack, and so much more. I am so lucky to have you as my husband.”
“And I am blessed to have you too, but I also want to be a father. I’ve been there for that girl every day of her life, maybe even more than Mason has. And when she got…”
I choked up with just saying the words until Sara knew—of course, she knew—and took me into her arms to comfort me.
“Okay, please, honey, let’s not discuss any of that on this day. Your daughter will be here any minute.”
“Thank you,” I whispered as I hugged my wife.
“Hey! You have one of those for me?” the voice of my angel called out to me.
She looked beautiful, on top of the world, sparkling with a smile that lit up my heart. I kissed my wife’s forehead and rushed over to my girl. My Nickel had returned home. She hurried over to me and jumped into my arms. I wrapped my arms around her and spun her until she begged me to put her down. I couldn’t help myself, I had missed her so much. It had been months since our last visit, and it was never enough time to share with one another. Her husband followed close behind her, and then my brother, his wife, and the Paulson family.
Still in my arms, she reached up to kiss my cheeks.
“Uncle Jack, I missed you so much! Happy Thanksgiving!”
“Happy Thanksgiving, Nickel.”
I kissed her and then made my way over to my brother.
“Massimo, it’s been a long time. Welcome home.”
I could tell he was already not pleased with me on account of how I addressed him, but too bad. I called him by his given name out of respect for our parents. I hated how our last name was changed, and then he went and changed his first name to Mason. No. I just couldn’t call him that. Call me stubborn, but that’s how I felt.
After all the greetings were made, we all went upstairs to the private dining room for dinner and what I hoped would be hours of conversation and catching up. Simon placed his hand on the small of Nicolette’s back and led her up the stairs. He was so gentle with her, as she deserved to be treated. I hated the distance between our homes, but as long as I knew she was being cared for, I didn’t worry as much as I used to.
Tonight’s reunion was just a warm-up to what tomorrow would bring. I had planned to join Nicolette, Simon, and the others to watch the Thanksgiving Parade along downtown’s historic State Street. Crowds of over 400,000 were always in attendance for this tradition. We never missed it when Nicolette lived here. It was a rite of passage for us to share, and I couldn’t wait to have it again tomorrow.
Clink, clink. I tapped on my glass several times to get everyone’s attention.
“On behalf of Sara and me, thank you so much for joining us here in our home for Thanksgiving. It means so much to us to have you all here, especially Nicolette. Thank you, sweet girl for giving me the best day that I’ve had in a long while. I love you. Okay! Back to eating.”
The look on Sara’s face didn’t go unnoticed by me, or my brother for that fact. We had our share of disagreements these past years, but now that he had returned home, I was hoping to make a fresh start.
“I’m proud of you, Jack. I know that was hard for you,” my voice of reason said as she hugged me from behind.
If Sara only knew how much it hurt to hold my tongue out of respect for Nicolette’s feelings. I raised her hands to my lips, and then we joined the others back in conversation.
An hour later, the party was coming to an end. I could see the exhaustion on my girl’s face, but by the way she carried herself, you wouldn’t know it. She saw me staring and walked over to me.
“Thank you, Uncle Jack. Everything was out of this world amazing.”
“You are most welcome, Nickel, but Sara did all the work.”
“So that’s your story? Why can’t you ever just accept a thank you? You know you’re my hero.”
“Oh, darling, as much as I would love to believe that, you have Simon now, and from what I can see, he’s all you need.”
“There’s room in my heart for more than one hero, Uncle Jack. Can we take a walk?”
Her eyes were hopeful as she knew I would agree to anything she asked of me.
“Of course, but it’s cold out there. Are you sure your thin California skin can handle it?”
“You never forget where you come from, Uncle Jack. I’m a Chicagoan through and through.”
I love this girl. She told Simon that we wouldn’t be long. Mason and Christina worried over her, telling her to reconsider going out and that it was cold. She wasn’t 12, and she was perfectly safe with me. And Sara thinks that I had control issues!?! Mason never ceased to remind me of our roles in her life. My only saving grace was that Nickel never chose one over the other and loved us both.
We walked a few city blocks with her arm wrapped around me. She loved walking through Little Italy while I pointed out all of the historic buildings. We passed a few establishments where I was well-known, and friends would shout out hellos to us as we passed by.
“Is everything okay, sweetheart?”
I loved our time together, but I also knew her well enough to sense she had something weighing on her mind.
“I’m fantastic, better than ever.”
We stopped at our favorite spot in the park, grabbing two hot chocolates before we found our bench. This was our place, where most of our heavy conversations took place. It was a good feeling to know that she never forgot it.
“What’s on your mind, Nickel?”
“Am I that obvious?”
“Yes, but you know you can tell me anything.”
“I know, Uncle Jack.”
She dropped her chin and sipped her hot chocolate. Damn it! I didn’t mean to phrase my words in that way. I knew where her mind had just retreated to. I lifted her chin and made her look at me.
“I’m sorry, baby, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“You didn’t. It’s just old scars.” She effectively talked right over her statement and continued, “Anyway, that’s not why we’re here. I have some news to share with you, and before the rest of the family finds out tomorrow, I wanted to tell you first.”
She smiled the widest of smiles and took my large hands into her delicate ones.
“Uncle Jack, I’m pregnant. I’m pregnant with Simon’s child, and this time I know the heartache is finally behind us. The universe won’t be so cruel to us again and take another child from me.”
She could no longer hold back her tears and immediately placed her cheek to my hands, where more tears fell. It pained me to see her in this state. I knew they were happy tears but some had to be sad ones remembering the past. She had to endure three miscarriages, so I wasn’t so sure she would survive another one without losing hope. I wasn’t going to go there, not when she just was positively glowing.
“Look at me, sweet girl. You are going to make a wonderful mother to this child you are carrying, and Simon is going to be one hell of a dad. No more tears, love. You have a miracle growing inside of you, and I want you to smile and be happy.”
“Oh, I am, Uncle Jack. I’ve never been happier.”
“Thank you for sharing this with me.”
“You’re welcome.”
No words needed to be said after that. This was my girl giving me yet another gift for us to share. We always shared a special bond with one another, and it had never been stronger. To give me this news in person, with no one else present, just made me the happiest father in the world. She never minded if I slipped once in a while. Maybe she knew that this was what I needed. I wasn’t going to tempt fate. I gave her one last hug, and then we made our way back to the bar.
All eyes were on us when we walked through the door. I could see the relief on Simon’s face when he greeted Nicolette, taking her in his arms. She whispered something in his ear, and now it was his smile that lit up the room. I left them on their own and poured myself a drink when my brother joined me.
“You look good, Jack. The restaurant looks great, and Sara seems well. I’m happy for you, brother.”
Was he really? Or was his blatant hostility leaning toward another statement?
“Thank you, Massimo. And how is your perfect, compartmentalized life going out in sunny California? Your tan looks fabulous.”
Yeah, I was being an ass.
“Couldn’t be better, Jack. Our songwriting keeps us busy with established and new artists that sign with our record company. Vanelle Records is in the mainstream, growing every day. By the way, let up on the ‘Massimo.’ How many times do I have to tell you not to address me by that name?”
“I don’t know, Massimo. Maybe I’ll quit when it stops bugging the shit out of you. You are some piece of work, little bro. After all I have done for you, you show me no respect and in my own fucking home. Drain the vein and have another drink. You are too uptight for me, and I’ve had a pretty good night, so don’t fuck with me.”
I downed my drink and poured myself another one. It was either that or punch him in his “holier than thou” face.
“Careful, Jack. Nicolette is watching. You don’t want to shatter your God-like status in front of her now, would you?”
“That’s what this attitude is really about, isn’t it? You just can’t stand the fact that she loves me and looks to me like a daughter would with her father. Am I close, MASON?” I drew out his name to the point where he seethed with anger.
“Keep telling yourself that, brother, if it helps you sleep better at night. I don’t have to play games when it comes to my daughter. We are here for her, and only her, so keep yourself in check until after tomorrow. Then I will leave, and I will take my daughter with me.”
“Fuck you, Massimo.”
The words were out of my mouth before I could stop myself. I looked over his shoulder and hoped no one had heard me.