Chapter11
Nichole spent her time looking for surrogates. She met many candidates and decided it would be best if she had Melissa there with her. Melissa was ready to meet all of the women she had to choose from. It had to be someone who looked almost exactly like her. Nichole brought the kids with her on the adventure and they sat in an area and played with their toys. Nichole began making calls from a surrogate website. She made a post on their page with a picture of Melissa and asked for someone who looked a lot like her. Women that favored Melissa were blowing up their emails. They set up interviews and began to meet the women. Some of the women were too tall and some of them were a little too short. They eventually met the right one.
Nichole paid her and they had everything set. She looked like she could have been Melissa’s twin. It was as if they had been separated at birth. Nichole decided to throw a party to celebrate after Matthew was released from the hospital.
She rented out a ballroom and invited everybody. She bought Melissa and Matthew crowns so they felt like royalty. She showered them in gifts for them and their baby. Victor enjoyed seeing Nichole go all out for her best friend. He felt like she realized life wasn’t all about work. He enjoyed seeing her humbly help someone else because before she was always so worried about getting back to work and life and such.
Now she had a large smile on her face and she was focused on making sure Melissa was happy.
“You know, I’ve never seen you so in love in my life,” Larry said. He interrupted Victor’s train of thought but his surprise was a good one.
“Hey Larry, how’s it going?” Victor asked.
“Going good. Nichole texted me and invited me to the party. I said I wouldn’t miss it.” Larry chuckled. “You’re really in love with her, huh?”
“I am. Just look at her,” Victor replied.
“You’ve never been this in tune with someone.” Larry smiled.
The two watched Nicolette and Miguel wobble over to Nichole. Nichole screamed and looked at Victor. “Did you see that? They did it together!”
“She’s the woman of my dreams. She’s perfect. She is still independent. Even after I’ve come into her life, she tries to do things on her own but I know she loves me because she claims she can’t do this without me. We both know she can.” Victor sighed. “This is the life I was meant for.”
Larry put his hand on Victor’s shoulder. “I’m glad you know that. Your kids are beautiful. Your wife is hot.”
Victor stopped Larry, “Keep your eyes off my wife.”
Larry chuckled. “I’m just saying man. You got it all. I mean you even have a lawyer that shows up to parties. I don’t even have one of those.”
Victor chuckled. “I know. I am a lucky man. I am reminded of that every time I look into their eyes. I won’t mess that up.”
“You better not because if she divorces you and I find out it’s your fault, all your stuff will be her stuff.” Larry laughed.
“Ha, all of my stuff is already her stuff.” Victor laughed. They sat at a table and watched everyone associate with others and eat the food. Melissa sported her crown and Matthew held her hand. The DJ played music everybody liked and the kids ran around freely.
When the party was over, Nichole and Victor stayed and cleaned up. Melissa talked about the party for the rest of the night. It made Nichole feel relieved. She did a good deed for a person she was close to. She understood her family was much bigger than just her husband and her two kids. Her family stretched out to Melissa, Matthew, and Larry. She would do anything for any of them.
She felt like she had to be as helpful as she could since she never had resources like that when she was younger. She wanted to share her blessings. Melissa’s surrogate, Alex, was at the party also and she was happy as ever. “I have never met a couple that wanted to be parents this badly,” Alex admitted.
“Really?” Melissa asked.
“They’re always happy, don’t get me wrong, but they’re never this happy. It makes me happy you chose me. It reminds me why I do this,” Alex replied.
Melissa hugged Alex. “Thank you so much.” Alex was just as happy to help. She put her hand over her stomach and said, “Only eight more months and three weeks.”
Nichole woke up and saw Victor sleeping next to her. His eyes slowly opened and she smiled. “Good morning.”
He chuckled. “Good afternoon.”
Nichole frowned with a confused look on her face and looked at the clock. She had slept till three o’clock. “How did that happen?” Nichole asked.
“I was up this morning. You were up late last night helping clean up the party. The kids have already eaten and everything.” Nichole sat up in the bed and saw a bed made up of covers and pillows on the floor. Nicolette and Miguel were taking a nap. Tashka was being used as Miguel’s pillow and Zap was Nicolette’s teddy bear.
Nichole smiled. “What’s for dinner?”
“Want some pizza?” Victor asked. Miguel quickly woke up and crawled over to their bed.
“I guess we can have pizza. It’s Miguel’s favorite.” Nichole chuckled.
“What kind of pizza do you want, Miguel?” Victor smiled.
“Roni!” Miguel screamed.
“I’m still a little upset that that was his first word,” Nichole sniffed.
“What did you want his first word to be?” Victor chuckled.
“Mama, of course.” Nichole rolled her eyes.
“Then I would have been bummed,” Victor replied.
“You would have gotten over it. I’m never going to get over this.” Nichole grinned.
“I’m sure you’ll learn to cope.” Victor chuckled.
He looked at his phone for a moment and sent in their order for the pizza.
“It’ll be here momentarily,” Victor announced.
He looked over at Nicolette who was still sleeping. “Have you noticed she sleeps like you?” he asked.
“No,” Nichole answered.
“Exactly, because she’s always sleeping, like you.” Victor laughed.
“We could be as loud as we wanted and she still wouldn’t wake up. It’s almost as if every time the sandman comes, he just pours all of his dreams on her head.”
Nichole laughed. “Is that how I am?”
Victor smiled. “Yeah, but you sleep too beautifully and peacefully. I never want to disturb you.”
“Well thank you for being so considerate,” Nichole replied.
Minutes later a security guard brought them their pizza.
Victor had also bought the security guards pizza and they thanked him for it.
Nichole, Victor, Nicolette, Miguel, Tashka, and Zap, all sat in a room and watched movies while eating their dinner.
Nichole and Victor laughed at a few inappropriate jokes that were hidden in kid movies and the kids laughed at the child content in the movie.
Everyone was comfortable. The parents were on the bed and the kids and pets were on the pallet made for them on the floor. The pets stared at the kids eating messily on the floor and collected any remnants that fell. They happily cleaned up the mess the kids left behind.
When the twins fell asleep during the second movie they watched, Victor lifted them up and took them to bed. He returned and saw Nichole, already asleep. He climbed into bed and fell asleep. He woke up again the next morning to see Nichole missing from the bed.
He walked into the kids’ rooms and they were also absent. He went downstairs and found his family eating ice cream. “Look who’s the sleepy head now.” Nichole smiled.
Victor smiled. “I hope you saved me a bowl.” Nichole walked over to the freezer and pulled out a bowl with ice cream in it and plastic wrap over the bowl.
“No, but I got a second bowl for myself.” Nichole chuckled.
“Well, I guess I’m stealing your bowl then.” Victor laughed.
Nichole handed him the bowl and a spoon. They all had different ice cream. Nicolette had chocolate chip, Miguel had birthday bash, Nichole had rocky road, Victor had vanilla bean, Tashka had a popsicle made of chicken broth with roasted chicken and beef inside, and Zap had a popsicle made of water, bamboo, and bugs.
They all enjoyed their frozen treats and Victor asked, “What could make things better?”
Nichole thought for a moment. “Nothing.”
Victor smiled.
Nichole looked at her wedding band that she happily wore on her finger since the swelling in her hands when down after she gave birth to Nicolette and Miguel.
It looked good on her and Victor loved hearing her say she was a happily married woman. He looked at his wedding band and saw the engraved words, “Even after death does us part.”
Victor couldn’t help but think about how different his life was two years prior to being in the kitchen with his family and he didn’t miss his old life one bit.
Nichole felt the same way. She loved working but she loved being with her kids more. She owned an animal hospital and she knew it was in good hands. She would make sure things were in order but she felt the need to retire so her kids wouldn’t have to get used to nannies or baby sitters.
She didn’t want to be that kind of rich household. She wanted her kids to grow up emotionally attached and humble. She wanted to teach them responsibility herself and thought about homeschooling.
She got a text, which interrupted her thinking. “Hey, I’m coming over,” Melissa texted her. She knew Melissa would still arrive whether or not she replied so she didn’t. Moments later Melissa walked into the house. “I missed you,” Melissa said as she hugged Nichole.
“What’s wrong?” Nichole asked.
“I don’t know. I just felt the need to come over here and spend time with you,” Melissa replied. “I feel like I really need to show my appreciation to you. You’ve done so much for me over the years. Like when you let me borrow your car because I wrecked mine. Or when you helped me get ready for my first date with Matthew.”
“It was nothing, really,” Nichole replied.
“It was everything, really,” Melissa demanded.
“You’ve done a lot for me over the years too, Mel. Like when you helped me pack my bags for when I went to Brazil. You were the first one I told I was pregnant. You’re the best,” Nichole replied.
“I’m pregnant.” Melissa sighed. “I know Alex is having the baby in eight more months.”
Nichole laughed.
“No, Nicki. I’M pregnant. Me, there is a baby inside of me!” Melissa exclaimed.
Nichole gasped and cheered. “Congratulations!”
Melissa didn’t seem as happy.
“Well, what’s the problem?” Nichole asked.
“I have two kids on the way. I am horrified. One of my kids is by Alex and one is by me. I don’t know how that makes me feel,” Melissa replied.
“I had twins. At least only one of them is coming out of you.” Nichole chuckled. “I know you’re scared. I was too, but you have Matthew and he loves you more than life itself.”
“I haven’t even told him yet,” Melissa admitted.
“Well, it’s time to tell him,” Nichole replied.
“How are we going to take care of two kids?” Melissa gasped. “Matthew is already upset about not having a job.”
“I can give you the money,” Nichole offered.
“His pride is a little too large when it comes to getting money directly. He feels like he should earn it,” Melissa replied.
“Okay, so what if we gave him a job?” Nichole asked.
“What kind of job?” Melissa asked.
“I was thinking about starting a new hospital and Victor has been working on some building plans for hotels. We need people to work there,” Nichole answered.
“That’s a great idea!” Melissa exclaimed.
“I’m going to get right on it. You’re going to be happy. You’re going to have help and you’re going to tell Matthew to apply for these jobs. I’ll print out a job application and you tell him to fill it out, then bring it back to me,” Nichole finished.
“You got it, boss,” Melissa said as she left.
Melissa did as she was told and she brought back the application. Victor called Matthew and let him know he was hired and that he would be paid starting then because the hotel wasn’t ready yet.
Matthew was ecstatic and gave Melissa the news. Then she told him about the second baby. He was even more excited. Melissa called and told Nichole the news and Nichole gave her an, “I told you,” speech.
Nichole learned new things about her friend she never knew before, but she tried to help as well as she could. It made her feel better and made her feel like her strong connection with Melissa grew even stronger. They usually told each other everything but now she was learning things about her best friend at all new heights. It seemed like she re-met Melissa all over again. Nichole was spending time with her children but never knew Melissa thought she couldn’t create and spend time with her own.
Now Nichole and Melissa would both have children and they would both have money and be happy. Things were beginning to fall into place. Victor was going to begin working on new buildings and provide new jobs in the economy. Nichole was planning on starting a new hospital in another state across the country so people wouldn’t have to fly their pets all the way out to see her. This was the growth Nichole had always wished for and now that her wishes were coming true, everything just felt right.
***
A couple of years passed by and Nicolette and Miguel were now three years old. They could walk and run and talk pretty well. Miguel’s favorite food was still pizza and he adored animals. Nicolette loved making statues and skyscrapers with her building blocks. They were both into the video game room. Melissa’s kids were now two years old and they moved into a new house near Nichole and Victor. Their kids always had play dates.
Nichole started her new hospital and was gaining an income from two places. Victor was creating new buildings at the speed of light and had hotels all over America. Of course, Larry stopped by to see everybody and had gotten married to Janet, the judge. Everyone was doing well.
Nichole was cleaning up the kitchen one day when a security guard rushed into the house. “Ma’am, we need you to grab the kids and come with us,” he announced.
“What? Why?” Nichole responded.
“Please, just come with us and we’ll explain. It’s a long story,” he answered. Nichole agreed to go with him and got Tashka, Zap, Nicolette, and Miguel into the SUV.
“Now tell me why I have to come with you,” Nichole demanded.
“Someone is trying to hurt you and your family,” he admitted.
“What, why?” Nichole asked.
“We got word that Derrick Lawson’s family isn’t too happy with what happened a few years ago. He was in prison up until now. He was euthanized yesterday and his family had been trying to get him out the whole way through,” he continued.
“Where is Victor?” Nichole asked.
“We have him covered,” the guard answered. “He’s with Marco.”
Miguel giggled and yelled, “Polo!”
“And what is your name?” Nichole asked.
“My name is Terry,” he answered.
“Where are we going?” Nichole asked.
“We’re going to the safe house,” he responded.
“The safe house?” Nichole asked.
“Larry told you before that we have worked for Victor in the past. We have and sometimes we have had to take him to the safe house because big threats like this put him in danger,” Terry continued. “We have assigned people to all of your friends and family as well.”
Nichole wasn’t even scared. She was upset. “Why does Derrick keep coming back to haunt me?” she wondered. “I want Melissa, Matthew, and their two kids Bryan and Todd to come to the safe house too then,” Nichole replied.
“Yes ma’am,” replied Terry. Nichole got a call on her cell phone and it was from Victor. She quickly answered and he was upset.
“I just got the news. I’m headed to the house now. Don’t respond. Just know I will see you soon, my love. Throw your phone out the window. I’ll handle the rest.” Then he hung up.
“How do we know none of the other guards aren’t traitors?” Nichole asked.
“We have all dedicated our lives to Victor more than once. We don’t add anyone new to the team. Anyone new that comes to the association is assigned to someone else. Our organization creates large groups of men that dedicate their lives to protecting others. One group is assigned to one person. We aren’t renegades,” answered Terry.
“So you’re only put somewhere where you’re going to be needed for a long amount of time?” Nichole asked.
“Yeah,” he answered.
“Don’t you have families?” Nichole asked.
“We relocate our families to wherever we are for the moment. We have three groups that switch out during the day,” Terry replied.
“I see,” Nichole responded.
“Now we have to get you somewhere safe. Did you already toss your phone?” Terry asked.
Nichole forgot all about it and tossed it when he asked.
“Good. You’ll get a new one with your primary contacts on it,” Terry assured.
He put his hand to his ear piece and said, “Get Melissa, Matthew, and their kids to S.H.” Nichole looked at her kids and her pets. Nicolette was asleep, Miguel was playing on his tablet, Tashka was looking out of the window, and Zap was chewing on his behind. Nichole gave a half smile and thought, I’m just glad they don’t know what’s going on.