Love Me One More Time (Nick and Alaia) novel Chapter 60

Nick

I stared at the document in front of me, over and over again.

“It’s the first step in the divorce petition, reaching an agreement with the other party. Alaia has made a fair offer; she doesn’t demand monthly alimony and doesn’t wish to take any of her belongings. The custody of the children is a matter you’ve already agreed upon, according to what she told me,” the lawyer explained, and I fixed my gaze on her.

“I have no interest in anything that belongs to Alaia,” I stated seriously.

“Then the divorce shouldn’t take more time than necessary. You agree on the main aspects, which are usually the ones that delay negotiations to end a marriage,” she mentioned, and her last words weighed heavily on my chest.

I toy with the pen in my fingers, thinking about Alaia and Cedric. The fact that she returned

engaged to him, that her feelings for me changed, and I can’t blame her, but she left me defenseless when all I wanted was to find her and tell her the truth about what happened. She moved on with her life while I put mine on hold; I remember the ‘yes‘ after I asked her if she loved him.

Alaia’s lawyer continued in silence, waiting for me to make a move.

“I’m not going to sign it,” I threw the pen I was holding aside and slid the folder across the

table to the woman in front of me.

“Mr. Garnett…”

“Would you let go of the person you love just like that?” I questioned, and her hand remained on the folder.

“It wouldn’t be professional of me to answer your question,” she said, putting the papers in her briefcase, “but I hope this matter is resolved in the best way for you and Alaia.” She said, and I nodded, watching her leave.

I returned to my office where Will was waiting for me.

“Did you sign it?” he asked as soon as he saw me enter.

“No,” I responded and sighed. “I was about to, wishing she could be happy, but I can’t do it without being sure that she will be and that the love she felt for me is truly gone.”

“Will you tell her about what happened two years ago?”

“It doesn’t make sense now. I feel that knowing if I can win her back is the most important thing at this moment.”

“Are you going to steal the bride?” Will asked, making me laugh, even though I didn’t feel like it.

“I’m going to steal the bride,” I nodded firmly. I know it won’t be easy and that my chances, if any, are slim, but I’m not going to give up without doing everything I can to win her back.

“You have my support. I’ll get a horse,” he commented, making me laugh again.

We keep talking until it’s time to pick up my children.

I drove to Alaia’s house, feeling like I’d shown her the love I feel for our children, that the person who asked for the divorce didn’t exist, hoping that one day she could look at me the way she used to, but it was impossible. The only thing I knew was that giving up was not an option for now.

“Dad!” my children ran towards me as soon as the door opened, and I must confess that seeing them gives my tormented heart a rest. I hugged them and hugged their heads before taking them to the car. Alaia, her friend, and cousin remain at the door, but all I can focus on is her.

I spent the afternoon with Alana, Noah, and the dogs, which made them happy; a while later, it was nap time, and I accompanied them. Listening to their little voices, seeing them, discovering the world, their laughter, and the fact that they accepted me, made me feel like there’s no better place in this world where I could be.

It was time to go home, and they said goodbye lovingly to Sophie and Marshall.

We got out of the car, and I took them by the hand while Loli walked with us.

“Good evening, sir, the young lady wishes to speak with you,” Sylvia said as soon as we entered.

“Good evening, I’ll accompany Loli to take them to their room. It’s something I usually do when I take them. I’ll be down shortly,” I said, and went up the stairs.

“It’s time to say goodbye to Daddy,” I leaned down to them when we reached their room. I want them to get used to who I am while I patiently wait for the day they can tell me.

“Daddy?” Noah questioned, and I nodded. He said nothing, just hugged me, and Alana did the same. I sigh, exhausted, and leave the room, noticing that Alaia’s bedroom door opens and she rushes out. I confess I wasn’t prepared to see her wearing a wedding dress, a very different one from the one she wore on our wedding day. We didn’t need anything fancy; we had each other.

Feeling the discomfort of seeing her in a wedding dress makes me realize that she hasn’t paused her plans; on the contrary, she insists on them, and I’m certain it’s time to change my strategy.

“You wanted to talk to me,” my voice sounded stronger than I intended, struggling to ignore the blessed dress.

“Mommy?” Alana asked, looking around, seemingly aware that something was being asked. I picked her up and hugged her.

“We’ll see her soon, my angel,” I said, and took Noah’s hand to enter the room. I know they shouldn’t be here, but we’re alone in this city.

“How is she?” Ignacio and another girl I’ve seen in Los Angeles arrived quickly to meet us.

“We don’t know anything yet,” I said, hugging my children, wishing they felt safe.

“Family of Mrs. Russell,” a doctor who spoke in Spanish. I only managed to understand the surname. I stood up, and she approached us.

“The patient suffered a blow to her chest and has a deep cut on her thigh. She lost blood, but we had already done a transfusion. We had to sedate her to anesthetize the area and suture the leg wound. The blow to her ribs pressed against her lungs. Fortunately, she didn’t suffer a serious injury, but she does require care.”

I looked at Loli, and she translated what the doctor had just said.

“Can we see her?” I asked, and Loli translated the question into Spanish. The doctor nodded, and I proceeded to follow her, not before asking Loli and her companions to take care of my children.

The woman in the white coat allowed me to enter the room. I see Alaia in bed, her breathing slow, and she doesn’t look like someone who has just survived an attempt on her life. It shows me how strong she is.

I approached the bed, feeling my body calm down. I took her hand and left a kiss on its back, only able to remember the horrible sensation that ran through me, knowing she was in danger.

I caressed her face the way I used to when we were in college. My finger reaches her lips.

Alaia began to wake up, and I removed my hand from her face. Slowly, she scans the room until her eyes meet mine.

“Nick,” she said softly, and I nodded, looking into her eyes.

A tingling sensation invaded me as I noticed the way she looked at me. Her eyes have softened; the anger, the resentment, the hatred are gone. She raised her hand to my cheek, and I couldn’t even react to her actions. I just felt her soft touch, placing my hand over hers. I let myself go and caressed her face. She closed her eyes at my touch.

I couldn’t control my movements. My fingers stroked her hair while my thumb felt the softness of her cheek. Slowly, I leaned in, and her sweet lips met mine. Something exploded inside me, her tongue playing softly with mine: It was a kiss that managed to convey various emotions I’d held back, and I just wanted to enjoy it, thinking it was a dream from which I’d soon wake up. When we ran out of breath, I pulled back a little, her lips red and swollen. I looked into her eyes, the same eyes of the girl I met five years ago.

“I love you,” I expressed, unable to avoid it.