Page 101 of Nicki's Fight

“Appears that way,” he answered.

“You loved her?” I questioned.

“So very much,” he replied. He dropped his head into his hands, and I saw his shoulders heave once, twice, before lifting his face back up and snagging some more tissues to wipe the tears that matched my own. Marty squeezed his shoulder in a move reminiscent of Kaine’s.

I studied Alex for a minute. There were tiny lines on his face and I couldn’t help but feel for him. We’d both loved my mother and had both lost her. At least I’d had her most of my life. He’d only had her for a few years.

“I’m glad she had someone else who loved her, too,” I finally said.

He nodded then looked at me.

“Nicki… Can I… Can I hug you?” he asked. “Because I could really use a hug right now, so I figure you could, too.”

I nodded, and before I knew it, I was enveloped in his strong embrace.

“I’m so glad you’re here… son,” he whispered.

With that simple acknowledgment, my heart seemed to overflow. In those encircling arms I felt protected, loved and accepted, something my father—Willis—had denied me. Alex didn’t see anything wrong with me, or my life, because it was very similar to him and his.

We separated after a few moments, with more sniffling and throat clearing.

“We…we understand you need time. I’m willing to give you all the time you need,” he began. “…but I’d like you to know something.”

“Nicki, after I lost your mother, I never thought I’d have a chance at love again, much less a family,” he said, glancing over at Marty. “But I found love with Marty, and suddenly, I have a son in front of me who is the spitting image of his mother. I hope… I hope you give me the chance to get to know you, to maybe be a better father to you than the one you had the first time around.”

I stared into those eyes, eyes so much like my own. I knew what my Mom would have wanted.

I nodded.

“…At least you couldn’t be worse…” I teased.

It took a moment for Alex to realize I wasn’t serious, but when he did, he laughed, a sharp bark of sound reminiscent of my own. After we’d stopped laughing, he said, “I can see who you get your sense of humor from. I look forward to getting to know you, son,” he said.

“Me, too,” I said in the same whisper, hugging him back. “I just… I don’t think I can call you Dad, yet? Is it okay if I just call you Alex?”

He nodded and squeezed me tightly once more before letting me go.

“You can just call me Marty…” his partner said, when I looked at him.

“I’m… I’m your aunt, Nicki,” Rhiannon said, smiling gently at me.

I looked at her and Alex.

“Your older andmuchmore beautiful aunt,” she insisted saucily. “I also have much better choice in men.”

She sniffed in Marty’s direction. Instead of being offended, Marty dished it right back at her.

“Keep it up, you old bat. I get to choose what nursing home you go to!” he taunted.

“Pffft! As if I’d leave my care inyourhands!” she exclaimed.

We’d left with smiles on everyone’s faces. The drive home was quiet. I stared at the pictures as he drove, lost in thought. When he pulled into the lot next to the apartment building, Kaine finally broke the silence and asked, “Nicki, are you okay?”

I thought for a moment.

Was I okay?

“I think so,” I whispered, looking at him. Kaine ducked his head, gripping the steering wheel tightly. When he looked up, his eyes were shimmering with unshed tears. I lifted a finger up to brush his cheek, and they overflowed.