The study finished and we helped our patients back to their homes, and the staff went on their way. I said my goodbyes to Dr. Ramsey and Dr. Quinn. We'd be analyzing the data we collected for the next several months. I was excited to have the study over. It was my life's work, but these past three months had been exhausting. I had hardly any sleep, and when I was able to sleep I couldn't with my mind racing.
The study was over, but our work was just beginning. It was suddenly strange to have time again. Katrina was helping me with Director Hildebrandt, but it was getting messy quickly. Donovan had his hand in the pot too. I'd had no contact with him since that day in the hospital, thank God. Katrina had done all of the in between between the lawyer Donovan had granted Director Hildebrandt an attorney. Mind you, Donovan wasn't directly claiming a hand, he was more of an ominous presence in the background.
Katrina called me and asked to meet for lunch. Not having much else to do, considering I wasn't going to the aquarium until the legal matters were all cleared up, I went to meet her. When I got there she had a devious smile on her face. I knew that that meant. Trouble. Trouble for me.
"I have some paperwork for you." Katrina smiled and handed me the stack. "You should look it over in private though." She warned me. "As to your little problem with the director, I have some good news and some bad news."
"Bad news first." I answered before she could ask.
"I figured as much," Katrina sighed. "Bad news is now you are facing a counterclaim for defamation of character."
"What?" I asked, my eyes wide.
"Yeah, so that's no fun, but this is just typical pushback. You'll have to appear if it goes to court, but I don't think that's the goal. I think the goal is just getting this put to bed privately. The aquarium has suspended the director for the time being. I'm not afraid, his attorney is one who has represented the Ralstons for years, but I'm not afraid of him. He's a pompous dickhead but he's nothing I can't handle." Katrina assured me. "I just wanted to let you know that."
"Great," I took a deep breath and ran a hand through my hair. "So good news?"
Katrina smiled. "That son of a bitch doesn't stand a chance. That being said you should be able to get back to your work as usual once we've settled this. Our evidence is circumstantial, but it's enough for our purposes. And the really good news is you got your paperwork. Trust me." Katrina winked.
I sighed somewhere between relief and at the ominous feeling in my gut. "So, what happens next?"
"Next we eat, then you go through your paperwork. Then you call me when it's all filled out."
We ate lunch and caught up on her life then went our separate ways. I went home and sorted through the paperwork excited to see the envelope with an M on it.
Mikaela,
I miss waking up to your beautiful face. Please tell Nikki to stop sending me pictures of men checking you out. That woman is going to be the death of me! It's bad enough I can't see you or hold you, to get that on top of it, I can't handle it. It's making me crazy and I want to throttle the woman! She knows what we're doing and she does that? Does she want me to blow our cover?
Everything will be settled with my father next month. He'll announce his successor and all I can think is how much I don't care. Baby, I'm still going along with your plan, but none of that matters anymore. You amaze me, sweetheart. You think I've taught you about people? Baby, before you it was never about anyone but me.
We both screwed up. And I know I don't deserve you. But like the selfish ass I am, I want you and I don't want anyone but you. I also don't want anyone else to have you either. Katrina informed me of your legal situation. I will be there. I am going to fix this. My father doesn't get to win in any area with you. You are mine. That means mine to protect. And if that fool thinks he's going to get away with trying to damage your life's work, he's got another thing coming.
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.