Not What I Expected

Part 12

"Trial will be done around 4:30," Ryan replied, "When would you like me to be there and what would you like me to bring?"

Beth beamed at him. She was thankful that he was on board with the plan. She took a sip of her coffee before answering him.

"Could you maybe be at our place around 5:15?" Beth asked, "That way we could devise a plan of how we are going to approach the situation? Does that sound good?"

"Absolutely," Ryan replied with a nervous smile, "I will be there."

"Thanks Ryan, you don't know what this means to me, to us," Beth said appreciatively, "As for bringing anything, just bring your favorite bottle of wine. Now, I have to get going, but we'll see you at 5:15."

Ryan smiled at her and then she grabbed her bag and her coffee and made her way out the door. She was worried about dinner tonight and how Nicole would take the news, but she knew now, more than ever, that telling her was the right thing to do.

The weather had changed drastically in the last couple hours. It was beautiful out when Beth had gone to meet with Ryan and now the sky was an ominous gray and the wind was blowing forcefully. It was only a matter of time before the rain came.

How convenient, Beth thought to herself, there was a storm brewing outside and shortly there would be a storm brewing inside as well.

It was 5:10 and Beth and Alex were sitting at the kitchen table waiting for Ryan to get there. Beth had filled Alex in on what Ryan had told her and what he had seen and that only fueled the angry fire that raged inside of Alex.

"Do you think she will feel overwhelmed with all of us being here when she finds out?" Alex asked Beth quietly.

"I think she will appreciate it," Beth replied unconvincingly, "Part of me thinks that Nicole already has an inkling of what's going on. I don't think this news will be much of a surprise to her, but it's only fair to tell her what we know. I've witnessed it and now, so has Ryan."

Alex nodded in response just as the doorbell rang. He took a quick swig of his beer and then stood up.

"I'll get it," Alex said with a sad smile, "I'll be right back."

Alex opened the front door to see Ryan standing there, seemingly unsure of whether or not this whole thing was a good idea. Despite that telling Nicole was a good idea, Alex felt the same way.

"Ryan! It's nice to finally meet you!" Alex greeted him with a smile, "I'm Alex, Beth's husband."

Alex stuck his hand out to shake Ryan's and Ryan reached out to shake it. Ryan smiled back and then handed Alex a bottle of red wine.

"It's nice to meet you too," Ryan replied, "I've heard great things about you from both Beth and Nicole. Thanks for having me."

"It's no problem. It's for a good cause I suppose," Alex responded reluctantly, "We all want what's best for Nicole and I'm glad that you are here for her as well. Beth is in the kitchen, just down the hall. I'll take your coat."

Ryan handed Alex his coat and then headed down the hall to the kitchen. Alex hung up his coat and just as he was about to close the front door, he saw Nicole pull into the driveway. Panic sprung to the forefront and his hands began to sweat. What was she doing here so early, he asked himself. She is too early, his mind screamed. Alex wasn't one to freak out so easily, but this was a situation they had to deal with very delicately.

"Hey!" Nicole called out to Alex as she got out of the car, "This weather is ridiculous!"

Alex waved and forced a smile as she ran towards him. She had obviously forgotten her umbrella at the office or at home. She flung her arms around Alex once she got into the house and held onto him. The two of them met 10 years ago, shortly after he had met Beth and the two of them connected like brother and sister. Alex had been a part of every major life change in Nicole and Chad's life and it broke him to see Chad causing Nicole so much pain.

"You do know that it is the rainiest evening in recent weeks?" he teased her, "Where is your umbrella Nic?"

"You know that I've lived here all my life Alex," Nicole stated with a giggle, "And not once have I actually ever owned my own umbrella."

This was a true statement. Alex laughed as he closed the front door and then took her coat from her. He had been surprised that she hadn't asked about the vehicle parked in front of the house.

"Why is Ryan's truck here?" Nicole questioned as she pointed out the window.

Busted, he thought to himself. He didn't know how to respond to her. He gave Nicole a quick look before he reached for her hand and, like usual, led her down the hall to the kitchen. Before they entered the kitchen he stopped and turned to look at her. She was looking at him curiously with an eyebrow slightly raised.

"Just trust me on this one Nic," Alex said quietly, "We are just looking out for you and we are concerned..."

"Concerned about what?" Nicole questioned as she pulled her hand away from him and stormed into the kitchen, "What's going on?"

Alex followed a frustrated Nicole into the kitchen where Beth and Ryan sat with surprised looks on their faces. Neither one of them, much like himself, had expected Nicole to be there as early as she was. Nicole ignored them all for a moment as she walked to the china cabinet, grabbed herself a wine glass and poured herself some red wine. Nicole then turned and leaned against the counter, looking at the three of them as she put the wine glass to her lips and took a sip.

"I got a text from Beth about an hour ago saying to leave Hudson at my parents'" Nicole stated after she swallowed the wine in her mouth, her hand very clearly shaking, "What are you guys not telling me? Clearly whatever it is shouldn't be heard by my three year old."

Beth stood up and made her way over to Nicole and took the glass from her hand. Nicole looked from her to Alex and then to Ryan. It was clear to Alex that she was doing everything she could to not break down into a fit of angry tears. She looked anxious and concerned as Beth led her to the chair beside Ryan. Nicole sat down and her eyes automatically focused in on Ryan's. He reached for her hand and she let him hold it and slowly, Nicole began to calm down.

"I didn't know how to tell you this Nic," Beth said quietly, her voice shaking, "Last week I went over to Anna's to make amends...and she wasn't alone..."

"Chad was with her?" Nicole questioned, but didn't sound surprised.

Beth nodded her head as a single tear fell from her eye. Alex grabbed Beth's hand and held it tightly to comfort her. It couldn't be easy to tell your best friend that her husband is still having an affair and clearly hasn't shown any signs of stopping.

"How does this involve you?" Nicole asked as she looked over at Ryan again.

"I had gotten to the courthouse early this morning," Ryan began, choosing his words carefully, "I was standing outside on the steps when Chad got dropped off...by none other than Anna. They were completely lost in their own little world and they weren't making any effort to try and hide it...I called Beth as soon as I was able to. We thought we would do this tonight and let you know what is clearly going on."

"Thank you," Nicole whispered as she stared straight ahead at the wall, "You guys just confirmed what I had been suspecting for the last little while. But no matter how much you prepare yourself for it, it still doesn't hurt any less. I don't why I trusted him again, I don't know why I let him in again. I should have known that he wasn't going to change..."

Nicole stood up and disappeared down the hall towards the living room without saying another word. Alex watched as she disappeared from the hallway and then turned and looked at Beth and Ryan. The tears were falling freely now from Beth's eyes and Ryan was nervously fidgeting with his hands in his lap.

"You guys did the right thing," Alex said quietly as he sat down beside Beth and pulled her into his arms, "She had to know the truth. It might not seem like it right now, but she will be ok."

"I should go be with her," Ryan said quietly, "She shouldn't be alone..."

"I know you mean well Ryan...but give her some time to process," Alex stated, "When she is ready she will come to us."

Ryan nodded his head and the three of them sat in silence, none of them knowing what to say next. All they knew at that moment and that they were silently communicating to each other, was that they all had to be there for her. Things were only going to get worse before they got better.