"I spent the night with Ricky Bowen." Nini told Kourt when she invited her over the next morning. They were standing in her kitchen and the kids were getting ready for school.
What ever Kourt was drinking went down the wrong pipe and she started coughing and sputtering, staring wide-eyed at her friend. Nini laughed. Just the reaction she wanted.
"Not like that Kourt." she said.
"Hi mommy!" Connor greeted, running into the kitchen and falling flat on his face.
"Owie." his lip trembled.
"Oh Con."
She helped her son up, kissed him better and gave him breakfast. Kourt was waiting not-so patiently for more of an explanation. When Charlotte didn't come for breakfast when she called, Nini went to the twins room and found her daughter curled up on her bed, crying.
"Char, what's wrong?" she asked, sitting on the bed, "Are you sick? Are you hurt?"
Nini was surprised when Charlotte handed her the house phone.
"Daddy said you didn't love me." Charlotte whispered.
Her blood ran cold. The bastard had called here?
"I love you very, very much Charlotte, don't let anyone tell you different. Do you understand?" Nini pleaded.
Charlotte sat up and sniffled.
"Promise mommy?"
"I promise." Nini pulled her shaking daughter into her arms, "And I need you to promise me something."
"What?"
"Don't answer the phone. Ok? Let me and Auntie Kourt handle the phone if it rings." she said, anger coursing through her body.
"Ok mommy."
She repeated the instructions to Connor once they entered the kitchen. She sent Kourt an I'll-tell-you-later look and took the kids to school. In a fury she drove to Benjamin Mazzara's office. She didn't have an appointment and he was probably busy, but she didn't care.
When she got there, she stormed past the protesting secretary to Mr. Mazzara's office. She open the door harshly and found Mr. Mazzara with an older couple.
"I-I'm sorry, but we need to talk. Now." Nini said forcefully.
Mr. Mazzara examined her, his mouth in a firm line. He turned to the couple.
"Would it be alright if we finished this tomorrow Mr. and Mrs. Kent?" he asked.
The two white haired people nodded and left, sending Nini disgusted looks. Nini Salazar-Roberts could care less. She sat in the chair before Mr. Mazzara.
"I know," Mr. Mazzara began slowly, "that things are rough for you right now Miss Salazar-Roberts, but you are not my only client. I will not tolerate this sort of behavior, Ricky Bowen's girlfriend or not."
"He called my daughter and told her that I didn't love her!" she shouted, "I want some sort of restraining order."
Mr. Mazzara sighed and sat down, donning a pair of glasses.
"Slow down and begin again Miss Salazar-Roberts. Who called your daughter?"
"EJ! My ex-husband!" she cried, "He came to see me yesterday-"
"Did he threaten you?"
Nini slumped into the chair.
"Well, no."
"Then I am afraid that I do not have grounds to ask a judge for a restraining order, Nini, I'm sorry."
"What am I supposed to do?" she whimpered.
"For now, wait until we have our pre-court meeting with a mediator. Make sure you are not alone if EJ approaches you again. Tell your children to tell you if they have seen him and to leave the phone to you." he advised, "I was going to call you this afternoon. The meeting is set for next week. Bring all documents you have on the children and witnesses of your parenting."
"Why are we having this meeting?" she asked.
"It is our last ditch effort to avoid going to court." Mr. Mazzara, "I don't believe that it will be helpful, but it is required."
Nini left Mr. Mazzara's office discouraged. This was going to be a long tough road to travel.
LINE BREAK
Nini drove home the long way, listening to sad music and crying. Suddenly she pulled over. She dumped her purse out on the passenger seat until she found a pen and her book. It was flowing through her, this song, a song so unlike her others. Ricky would love it. She paused. Now her songs were for him?
Hmm...
After all you put me through,
you'd think I'd despise you.
But in the end, I wanna thank you.
Cuz you made me that much stronger.
Well I, thought I knew you
Thinking, that you were true
I guess I, I couldn't trust
Called your bluff
Time is up
'Cause I've had enough
You were, there by my side
Always, down for the ride
But your, joy ride just came down in flames
'Cause your greed sold me out of shame, mmhmm
After all of the stealing and cheating
You probably think that I hold resentment for you
But, uh uh, oh no, you're wrong
'Cause if it wasn't for all that you tried to do
I wouldn't know .. just how capable
I am to pull through
So I wanna say thank you
'Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
Never, saw it coming
All of .. your backstabbing
Just so .. you could cash in
On a good thing
before I realized your game
I heard,
you're going around
Playing,
the victim now
But don't .. even begin
Feeling I'm the one to blame
'Cause you dug your own grave
After all of the fights and the lies
Yes you're wanting to harm me
but that won't work anymore
No more, uh uh, it's over
'Cause if it wasn't for all of your torture
I wouldn't know how .. to be this way now,
I'll never back down
So I wanna say thank you
'Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
It makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter
How could this man I thought I knew
Turn out to be unjust,
So cruel?
Could only see the good in you
Pretended .. not to see the truth
You tried to hide your lies,
Disguise yourself
Through .. living in denial
But in the end you'll see
YOU-WONT-STOP-ME!
I am a fighter
I'm a
I ain't gonna stop
There is no turning back
I've had enough
Makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter
You thought I would forget
Lord I, I remember
Oh ohh, Oh ohh
Cause i remember
I remember
Makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
Thanks for making me a fighter
Nini capped her pen with a snap. Words had never flowed from her so powerfully. And the only way anyone would hear it is if Ricky sang it. She had so much to fight for: Charlotte, Connor, Kourtney, her mom's even and now possibly Ricky. She was now a fighter.
"Bring it on EJ." she said, pulling back into traffic.
LINE BREAK
She was surprised when she found out that Ricky had actually rented the entire Chuck E Cheese just for them. He gave the kids loads of coins and found them a table.
"You didn't have to do this Ricky." she said, sitting across from him in the purple booth.
"Yeah, I did. Nin's, 'Break My Heart' is going to be a hit. And it's all thanks to you." he raised his Dr. Pepper.
She clinked her cup with his. She took a few sips and watched Charlotte ride in a little car that had Chuck E Cheese in the passenger seat.
"What's the matter Nini?" he asked, "You seem, well, quiet. More than usual."
She sighed. She knew that she had to tell him.
"EJ called Charlotte and told her I didn't love her." she said finally.
Ricky squeezed his drink so hard the lid popped off, soda splashing everywhere.
"He did what?" he said in a low, dangerous tone.
Nini grabbed some napkins and told him about the meeting with Mr. Mazzara while she sopped up the soda.
"Will you come?" she asked hesitantly, "To the meeting, that is? As a witness?"
"Yes. Absolutely." Ricky responded.
Ricky put his hands over hers.
"He will not get the kids. I promise you." he said, his gaze steady.
"Thank you." she said, "Something good did come out of it all."
She pulled her book out and showed him the song. She waited while he read through it, mouthing the words as he went along. He tried to turn the page but she stopped him.
"I know. Don't touch your book." he said with a grin, "I love it. We'll record it tomorrow as well."
She beamed at him. Their faces slowly began gravitating towards each other but-
"Ricky! Come play with me!" Connor yelled from the ball pit.
Ricky pulled back with a laugh.
"Coming little man." he called.
Nini watched him join her son in the ball pit. Charlotte came and sat by her mom as the pizza arrived.
"I like Mr. Ricky, mom." Charlotte said, "But I love you."
Nini gave her daughter a huge hug. Things were going to get tougher, but for now, she would enjoy the simplicity.
_______________________________
HAPPY THANKSGIVING 🦃
Here's an extra long chapter for you :)
What are you all thankful for? I'm thankful for everyone who reads, votes and comments on my stories ❤️
P.s. song is 'Fighter' by Christina Aguilera.