The Arrangement

Chapter 60

I will protect you. I promise you that.

I will see you soon and I am counting the minutes until I get to hold you again.

I love you

T

I smiled as I finished reading it.  I missed him.  I missed him holding me.  I missed bickering with him.  I missed the way he could make me smile even when I wanted to be furious.  I was excited to see him again.  This whole ordeal was exhausting.  I hated lying, to anyone, let alone just about everyone.

I went and got pen and paper.

Trent, 

I miss you too.  I can't wait to see you again either.  If you don't want to, we can abandon the plan.  If it's not what you want, we can figure something else out.  You know I don't care about the money.  But I don't want you to give up something you'll regret for the rest of your life.  I don't want you to look at me and say I gave that up for you all those years ago.  I don't want you miserable, and I don't want you to resent me.  I don't care about the money, but I do care about you.  By the way, the money you gave me in our divorce is in a separate account.  I will not touch that.  I didn't earn it, so it's not mine.  It feels weird to say that.  We're divorced.  It was something I wanted from day one and now that it's happened, it makes my stomach churn.  I am ready for this to be over about as much as you are, I think.

We've made it this far, what's one more month?  I will tell Nikki to stop, but you've met the woman, if she wants to do something, I won't be able to stop her.  And what pictures is she taking?  I haven't even noticed!  Oh and can you stop being so sweet and romantic?  I can't compete.

Love and Miss You

Mikaela

I shook my head at my feeble attempt of a letter. It wouldn't be much longer.  I could hold out for him. But damn if I didn't miss him.  I called Katrina and she agreed to stop by on her way home.  I went back to work.  Pouring over the research.  The patterns, the consistencies, the inconsistencies.  I had to be sure about this.  I studied Dr. Ramsey's research and compared notes, then I did the same for Dr. Quinn.  Our notes seemed to be matching up.  That gave me a spark of hope.  Maybe all this work would prove to be true.  God, I hoped so.  

When Katrina showed up, I was surprised when she showed up with Nikki and food.  "You're having a girls' night." Nikki announced.  "Now we're going to my place.  We can eat now or when we get there."

"Why are we having a girls' night?" I asked his an eyebrow raised, my arms crossed.

"Because you've been moping since you got divorced and I miss your face." Nikki smiled.

"By the way, what pictures have you been taking of me?"

"Uh, wait what?" Nikki asked, looking nervous.

I crossed my arms.  "Really?"

"Oh my gosh, you cannot be mad at me."

"I'm mad that you're taking photos of me and I'm not aware of it."

Nikki smiled.  "Someone is always taking pictures of you.  Haven't you been watching the headlines?"

"Did you seriously just ask me that question?"

"Right, I forget, you live under a rock." Nikki smiled.  "Get your shoes, you're coming with us."  Nikki threw my flip flops at me as she dragged me out of the house.

"Give me two seconds," I laughed as I reorganized my research and then handed the paperwork to Katrina.  "I need to keep this safe." I filed away and locked everything and put my laptop in my bag.  "Are you making me stay the night?" I called from my bedroom.

"May as well!" Nikki shouted back and when I heard her and Katrina giggling I was suddenly much more nervous.

"What do you have planned?" I demanded.

"Food.  Fun.  The company of two of the greatest people you will ever meet." Nikki promised.

"You're going to have fun," Katrina encouraged.  "Come on."  I had a feeling tonight wouldn't be much fun for me.  Entertaining for them, but not so much for me.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I know, it's not very long.  I know where I'm going with this, but I'm also trying to make sure I get there the right way.  I hope you all enjoy it, I should have another update in a few days.  Enjoy my darlings!

TEASER:  Girls night.  Girls night + Mikaela doesn't even seem to make sense.  You'll get to see some Nikki antics.  Someone we haven't seen much of for a while is back.