Her secret

Episode three

*Kosta’s POV*

When Theo Del Pozzo. Called me and said I had a meeting with Nicolina ad her house tomorrow; I was happy, but when he said his goodbyes and said, please go. easy on her, my heart sank

What could make me angry that her father would warn me to go easy on Nicolina?

So I try not to think about it. I write down the address and smile. I have waited months for the address, and now I have it.

I pack my briefcase and sot it next to the door; then I get into bed. I have a decent drive to the country tomorrow to meet with Nic; I don't want to look terrible when seeing her.

I know this is my only chance to get her back, and I don't want to stuff it up by being tired.

The following morning I get up early and go to the car and drive to Nicolina’s house

I stop at a bit of store and get some breakfast cakes and coffee and then grab some Lillies to give to her and I get in the car and drive a little bit longer to get to her finally.

When I pull into the driveway, I see a lovely modern house with a white picket fence and a decent size yard

I get out of the car and get all the things I brought and my suitcase and walk to the door

I ring the doorbell and wait for Nicolina to answer

And when she does, my heart leaps into my throat.

Nicolina is in her black leggings and a black singlet with a grey cardigan hanging off her shoulders and her hair up in a messy bun

I take in her appearance and suddenly feel overdressed I wore a business suit; I thought it was a business meeting after all.

Nicolina looks me up and down, then turns around and begins walking down the hallway, then looks back at me

“Come in, sorry about the mess. I have been in the hospital. I walk to Nicolina and hand her the flowers, and she takes them to the kitchen and puts them in water. When she turns back around, I give her the coffee, and she takes it in two hands and smiles

“Thank you”

That is all she says

I look around her house and then back at her

“I missed you, Nic, and before you say anything, I have been looking for you. I want us back. I didn't keep the marriage long; I couldn't do it. All I have thought about in the past nine months is you.”

Nicolina looks up at me, her eyes filling with tears.

“Before you say anything else, Kosta, I have something to tell you, and as you can see, I already have boxes packed because I know you will leave when you hear what I have to say”

I look around the house and notice she has boxes packed in the living room, and when I look back at her, I see the tears falling on her cheeks.

I pull her into my arms and hold her tight

“I promise I won't get mad, Nic; nothing could change the way I feel for you. We had plans to start a family together, remember, so what's wrong, sweetheart? Tell me!”

Nic moves from my arms and walks down the hallway, and I follow her. She opens up a bedroom door, and I follow her inside the room

I look around and smile at what I see. It is all the bears and things I brought when we were together.

When I look back at Nicolina, my heart stops beating. I look down at her arms and see the most beautiful baby I have ever seen. Then it all hits me Nicolina was hiding because she was pregnant. She had moved on, and I turned to walk away.

When I hear Nicolina’s voice c***k

“Kosta waits; it isn't what you think. I want you to meet Mila, your Daughter.”

I slowly turn and look at Nicolina and the baby and shake my head

“Nic, that is impossible, and you know it, we were careful. “

She drops her head

“I know we were careful, but Mila is your daughter. You can ask Jana; I found out I was pregnant two weeks after you were married, and I knew I had to keep it a secret. I made a promise I would cut all ties with you, so I kept being pregnant a secret. Even when you saw me in the big overcoat, I was hiding my belly behind a bag. You don't have to believe me, Kosta, and you have every right to hate me, but I'm telling the truth.”

I look at her and see her shaking and crying, and I walk out to the kitchen and take in what she has told me. Then I message Jana

“Is it mine?”

I wait for a reply, and I see Nicolina walk to the living room and sit on a chair with Mila looking out the window and sobbing. I don't know what to do. I wanted to hug her and tell her we could work it out, but I didn't know what to believe. Could the baby be mine? Jana said she was seeing someone new, but that could have been a lie, so I leaned on the bench and waited for the text to come in when my phone rings

“Hello?”

“Kosta, it's Jana. Yes, it's your baby. I lied. She hasn't been with anyone since breaking up with you, and she found out she was pregnant two weeks after you got married. If you don't believe me, ask her father.”

I look over at Nicolina and drop my phone on the bench and go to her

I get on my knees at her feet, and Nicolina looks at me

My breath hitches, and then I smile at her

“I need time, Nic. It is a lot to take in.”

Nic smiles

“I know, and I am sorry for hiding from you. I didn't want to ruin your marriage, so I understand if you're going to walk away from me but don't turn your back on Mila. She is innocent in all of this”

I look down at Mila, and she has my light hair and nose. I reach out and stroke her cheek, then look up at Nicolina watching me

“Do you want to hold her?”

I nod and hold lit my arms

When I have her, I stand up and take in all Mila’s features, and I can't deny she is my daughter. I look at Nicolina

“When was she born?”

I notice when Nicolina stand up, she is slow like she has some discomfort and frown

“Yesterday Afternoon, I discharged myself last night so that we could meet here today.”

I walk to her and look at her

“You need to Rest, Nic. Let me help you. I'm not angry; I understand why you kept being pregnant a secret, but I'm here now, and I am ready to make us a family.”

Nic looks at her hands, then back to me

“What about your wife?”

I chuckle and walk closer to her, then lift her chin so she can see my eyes

“I was divorced weeks after being married, Nic. I couldn't do it. I never slept in the same bed as her; I always wanted you, sweetheart.”

Nic looks at me, shocked, then leans into my touch

“We can't go back to how we were, Kosta. I need time to adjust to being a mum and a CEO of my dad's company, but I missed you and know this feels right, so maybe we can take things slow.”

I lean in and kiss her, and she kisses me. She lets my tongue into her mouth, and I use my free hand to pull her close.

When the kiss ends, I rest my forehead on hers

“I can go as slow as you want, Nic, but I want to do things right this time. My dad can't take me away from you.”

Nic chuckles

Then looks Down at Mila

“She needs a feed.”

I give Mila back to Nicolina, and she sits in the chair and begins to breastfeed her

And I go to the kitchen and get the cakes and coffee and sit in the chair next to Nic

“So how about I bring you dinner tonight? Then we can watch a movie?”

Nic smiles at me

“I would like that.”

We sit in silence, and suddenly, my heart feels whole

*Nicolina’s POV*

I keep looking over at Kosta to make sure he is here.

And smile when I think about how worried I was. I know we have a lot to work out, but I know we will in time

A lot has changed in nine months. I have a business to run, and now I'm a mother. Will Kosta still be here when times get tough?

I watch as he gets up and gets more drinks from the kitchen, and I decide that I don't care what happens in the future

The man I love is in my house, and I will enjoy this moment while it lasts

I look down at Mila, who has fallen asleep, and I cover myself up and carry her to her crib

Then go back and sit with Kosta, who is looking at me like a lovesick puppy

I chuckle and look at him

“What are you thinking about?”

He takes my hand and kisses it

“You, I thought I wouldn't see you again, and now I'm in your house, and you have my baby, and my heart feels whole again.”

I lean over and kiss his cheek, and then I sigh

“We have to take things slow, Kosta. I want you more than you knkw, but we both hurt each other so let's take it slow and see what happens. A lot has changed in nine months, and we have a baby to think about, so don't get any ideas about moving. In here, okay?”

He chuckles and nods

“Okay, I won't move in yet but give them a chance to fix us, and I know things have changed Nic. We have both grown up and have work, and now we are parents; we have a lot to work out, but I know we are good together.”

He leans in and kisses me, and that's when I know I did the right thing in letting him back in my life. I only hope he will stay.

I watch as Kosta gets our dinner and he puts a movie on, and I'm thankful I'm not alone tonight because the events over the past twenty-four hours have taken their toll, and I'm exhausted

Kosta pick’s a movie for us to watch, hands me a slice of pizza and sits next to me. I get butterfly's when he pulls me in close to him and whispers

“Relax, Nic, I'm here.”