Beautiful Disaster (The Bet)

by Francette Phal

  "Here," Nicholas caught the sleeping bag she threw his way. "Let's get some sleep, I don't know about you, but I'm dead tired. And Soph is going to wake me up really early when morning comes so I want to get as much sleep as possible."

  Completely wired, Nicholas was unable to find solace in sleep, but he didn’t mind in the least. A toothy grin split his face as he listened to the soft snores of the girl who’d just shot him down.

  She’d said no to him.

  The notion was foreign and it was taking Nicholas a while to wrap his head around it. But all the same he couldn’t stop smiling.

  Something was definitely happening here and Nicholas didn’t know what to do. For someone who made it a goal in life to always remain one step ahead, it was a daunting feeling. But he was discovering something else. Hope. It was small, barely a grain, but it had a real chance of turning into something. Something he didn’t realize he wanted or needed until now.

  Something awoke Nicholas from his slumber, considering he was a light sleeper, it didn't take much in doing. It took a moment to realize where he was, once realization hit him, he knelt by Ellie's bedside and silently watched her sleep.

  With her hair having come undone, wisps of tawny curls fell across her cheek, concealing a portion of her face from view. Nicholas gave into temptation and brushed the wayward strands behind the rose gold tint of Ellie's ear, his hand lingered for a few precarious seconds before he reluctantly pulled it back, not trusting himself to remain at such close proximity without giving into impulse.

  The soft snores emitting from her parted lips made him smile. The brown and pink comforter she'd used to cover herself had fallen off her body sometime during the night and now a portion of it swept the carpeted floor, while the other half was entangled between her legs. Nicholas enjoyed the momentary exposure of mocha-caramel skin before picking up the comforter and draping it back over her.

  The soft whimpering that had awakened him was far more pronounced now. He'd mistaken it for Ellie's, but now he knew who the real culprit was and with a whispering kiss to Ellie's cheek, he headed out the bedroom. Sophie's burbling made it easy for him to find her bedroom. Stepping inside he approached the wooden crib dominating the small, yet beautifully quaint room belonging to none other than the joy of Ellie's world and Nicholas's secret obsession.

  "Hey there kid," at the sound of his voice, Sophie's face lit up.

  "Nicky!" Having had such a hard time pronouncing his full name, Nicholas had given Sophie the option of calling him Nicky instead. She’d taken to the name with her usual exuberance.

  Using the bars on the crib to pull herself up, Sophie happily jumped in place. "Nicky, up!"

  "Nicky up, please." He gently corrected, refusing to pick her despite his own need to do so.

  "Pwease." She said pitifully and no longer able to help himself, Nicholas reached down and scooped her out of the crib.

  "Close enough, kiddo. Now, how about you help me make breakfast for your Mom?"

  "We go mama?" she asked expectantly, obsidian eyes curiously peering at him. He kissed her cheek with a smile and shook his head as they made their way downstairs. Having been asked inside the house on several occasions now, he was slightly familiar with the layout of the two-family home.

  "Your Mom's sleeping. We have to be very quiet so we don't wake her up." Nicholas whispered, stepping down the last creaking step.

  "Mama's sleeeeeping, shhhh." She brought her finger to her lips, conveying the need for secrecy in that adorable way of hers.

  The kitchen was spacious, airy, made up of travertine tiles, marble countertop and Sedona red cabinetry, that, despite the unobtrusive wear and tear of the pots and pans hanging over the sink and stove, gave it a cozy feel. That and the anticipation of seeing Ellie's reaction, made the daunting task ahead of him seem relatively easy. Nicholas located Sophie’s high chair and feeling remarkably chipper, he carefully maneuvered her inside.

  He rubbed his hands together having accomplished his task in making Sophie comfortable before turning to her with a big grin. "So, what should we make your mother? Pancakes, eggs and bacon?" At Sophie’s enthusiastic nod, Nicholas affectionately ruffled her hair then tackled the task of rounding up the necessary ingredients.

  He couldn't remember the last time that he'd made breakfast for himself, let alone someone else and it showed fifteen minutes later when the pancakes started burning, the scrambled eggs followed suit and the bacon---well the bacon was just a lost cause.

  With batter and flour splattered against the walls, the stovetop and a good portion of his jeans, Nicholas groaned in frustration and grabbed a rag to clean the mess, Sophie's "Uh oh..." however turned his irritated groan into muttered expletives when he saw the smoke begin the thicken in the skillet

  "Shit!" he jumped to action. He turned off the burner, took hold of the burning skillet, dumped it in the sink and spun on the taps. The ensuing cloud of smoke caused him to turn the overhead fan on full blast. Just when he believed he'd avoided a potentially dangerous situation, the smoke detectors' shrill ring quickly dissuaded him of that. Grabbing a rag from the countertop, he frantically swished it back and forth above him, praying to whatever deity up there who still favored him that allowed Ellie to remain asleep.

  "What the hell is going on?" Well, so much for that, Nicholas thought sourly, throwing the rag back on the countertop in disgust.

  "Mama!"

  Ellie's heart slowed to a steady beat once she realized that Sophie was alright. The sound of the smoke alarm had roused her out of bed and immediately she'd gone to Sophie's room to check on her. When she’d found her missing from her crib Ellie’s concerns had blown into panic and she'd practically stampeded down the stairs to the kitchen in record time.

  Now, as she pulled her daughter out of the high seat and cuddled her close, she was able to better assess the scene she'd been greeted with and boy, was it a scene! It appeared as though a bomb of flour and eggs had gone off and Nicholas, the poor guy, was the casualty. From what she could see through the settling cloud of smoke, he was practically covered in batter and flour, a few splashes of grease coating his once pristinely white shirt.

  As abruptly as it all began, the shrill cry of the smoke detector stopped, leaving them all in a world of silence. Ellie cracked a smile, opening her mouth to speak over the dull ring in her ears. "My God, Nicholas, were you trying to cook?"

  Nicholas pursed his lips, staring dispassionately at the charred remains of what had once been edible food. "Try is the operative word here."

  Uncertain of whether to laugh or comfort the forlorn man, Ellie opted for the latter and sauntered over to him, keeping Sophie situated at her side. "Cheer up." She smiled, settling a comforting hand on his shoulder, as she reassuringly squeezed it. "If it's any consolation, I can say I appreciated the effort."

  "Nicky, sad?" Nicholas's disappointment at his botched meal instantly dissolved at the sight of Sophie's expression, concern for him shining in her dark, expressive eyes.

  "No, I'm perfectly happy." She wiggled in her mother's arms, reaching out for him. Nicholas obliged her, taking her from Ellie's hold, as he lifted her above his head and twirled her around; her giggles were his reward.

  "She adores you." Ellie remarked, watching their interaction with a small smile.

  "And I adore her." Nicholas said as he briefly glanced her way, the look in his eyes conveying emotions Ellie wasn't too sure she was seeing right.

  "You're lucky Gabe isn't here to see what you did to his kitchen." She changed the subject, hoping he'd stop staring at her in that unsettling way of his.

  "Yeah, I've been meaning to ask you about that, where is he?"

  "He has these monthly seminars up in Marlborough that helps him run the restaurant better. He'll be back tomorrow night." She began to clean the mess and Nicholas frowned.

  "Don't, it's my mess, I made it, I'll clean it. ‘Sides, we haven't had breakfast yet and I'm sure Sophie here is starving for some good food, isn'
t that right, Soph?"

  "M'hungwy."

  "See, I'll treat us to breakfast and this time, I can guarantee it won't be burnt."

  "Nicholas----"

  "Nicky, I liked it when you called me Nicky last night and I'd be honored if you and Sophie join me for breakfast, Ellie." Her indecisiveness prompted him to pitifully stick his bottom lip out and widen his silvery blue eyes. "Pwease, Ellie."

  The display had the expected effect, Ellie capitulated, but not before pinching Nicholas's cheek. "I think you've been hanging around Soph way too much."

  He and Sophie shared a look that made Ellie smile. "So, does that mean we can go out and eat?"

  "Yes...but first we need to get this little terror in some warm clothes."

  The doorbell rang and Ellie was puzzled as to who it might be at the door.

  "Expecting company?"

  "No, but why don't you take Sophie upstairs and get her ready. I'll see who's at the door."

  "Sounds like a plan. Come on Sophie, let’s go get you all bundled up so we can go and have some real food."

  While Nicholas took Sophie upstairs Ellie took one last fleeting glance at the kitchen, promising herself to clean it up when they returned later, she made her way to the foyer.

  He was the last person she'd expected to see, which was why his appearance shocked her to the very core. She stood motionless for a lapse of eternity, disbelief turning her features to stone.

  "Hey, Ells." Tony greeted civilly, allowing her to recover from the initial shock of seeing him again.

  He drank in the sight of her like a man parched. She wasn't at all like the girl he remembered her to be and yet she still was, her beauty still able to ensnare him. She looked so healthy now; the soft glow surrounding her gave her caramel complexion a lustrous look.

  She had more curves than he remembered her having, the fullness of her chest and rounded hips drew his lascivious gaze for infinite minutes before reluctantly trailing upwards. Those large hazel eyes that had first enslaved him all those years ago, now mercilessly chained him to the spot and Tony realized how willing he was to surrender to them once again.

  She was his reason for living. During those long, arduous months in rehab, thoughts of her had kept him from overdosing on stolen methadone. He'd forced himself clean in order to come back to her so that they could have the family they'd wanted. The family that he wanted. Thoughts of his daughter elated him to no end.

  He hadn't been there when she'd been born nor had he been around to celebrate birthdays or those few precious moments in Sophie’s young life. He'd never had the opportunity to see her, let alone hold her to let her know that he was her father, the picture he'd received from Ellie via their attorneys was the only memento he had of her. But that would all change soon, things would be different now he silently vowed, because he was here now, ready and willing to do anything to have his daughter and her mother back in his life.

  "What the hell are you doing here?" Ellie's voice snapped him from his thoughts; he looked at her and grimaced at the unwelcome fire burning in those hazel eyes.

  "Ellie---"

  Ellie stepped out of his reach, her hand tightly holding on to the doorframe. "You're not welcomed here so save yourself the hassle and leave or I call the cops."

  "Really now, Ellie," Tony admonished, producing that devastating grin of his, remembering all too well what that grin and the mouth that wore it was capable of. "Let's act like adults and be civil here, I'm not looking to fight with you. I just want to see Sophie."

  "I told you to talk---"

  "Talk to your lawyer...I did that and we've worked out a schedule with the judge." Tony dug into the inside pocket of his black blazer, withdrew an envelope which he handed to Ellie. "Those are the terms under which I can visit her. As you can see the judge made it so it coincided with your school and work schedule so that you can be there when I'm with her."

  Ellie suddenly found it ridiculously difficult to breathe. She looked at the letter and back at Tony then once more at the letter. She shook her head in disbelief and looked at him. "No. How do I know you didn't make this up? It looks legit, but we both know you're not exactly the most honest of people."

  Tony reached for her again and when she didn't flinch away, he softly caressed the curve of her jaw, the touch almost intimate. "Another thing we have in common." He whispered darkly, grinning when she slapped his hand away.

  "We have nothing in common, Tone. Not anymore." She said fervently, hating him even more as the minutes passed.

  "I'm good now, Ells, and I'm trying to make this work for us. I know I made mistakes and I promise to make it up to you. It’s going to be better for us this time around, Ellie."

  "Says the wolf to the sheep." She snidely remarked, clenching the letter he'd given her in a tight fist. "I know you, Tony, probably better than you know yourself and I won't allow you to fill my head with your pretty words and promises of ‘better'. I already have my better and it doesn't include you. I don't want anything to do with you. Sophie is the only link that binds us and if you're trying to use her to get to me you're even more pathetic than I first thought."

  "That's a fuck of a lot to say for someone who used to spread her legs for a high." Her hand swung even before she had time to consider her action; the force of her slap had him stumbling backwards. He gaped at her, hand on his cheek, disbelief robbed him of speech.

  "Get off my property or I swear I'll call the cops---"

  "Ellie, what's going on?" Never had she been happier to hear his voice, the soft tenor like a salve to her troubled mind. She could suddenly breathe easier with him around.

  It took Nicholas all but a few seconds to assess the situation before putting an arm around Ellie's shoulder and to evenly meet the austere gaze of the stranger before them. "What's going on?"

  "Nothing that I'm sure concerns you." Tony responded tersely, all too aware of the possessive hold the guy had on Ellie.

  "Anything involving Ellie, I assure you, deserves my complete concern." A high amount of testosterone permeated the air as gunmetal gray eyes met and clashed with fathomless obsidian. The tension emanating from both men had Ellie feeling as though she was standing on a battleground.

  "Tony is Sophie's father, Nicholas."

  Nicholas found that he took the news a lot better than he thought he would.

  "Yeah, Nicholas, I'm the father of her child. Who the fuck are you?" Trust Tony to gloat at a time like this, Ellie thought wryly, glaring at him.

  "I'm a friend." Ellie turned to him and leaned into his embrace, silently admiring the fact that he did not rise to Tony's bait or sink to his level.

  "Yeah, I can believe that. Ells has always been good at making friends, especially rich friends. Isn't that right Ells?" He reached to touch her. Nicholas's hand however, swatted his hand away. He guided Ellie behind him and faced Tony, his features set in granite. Tony met Nicholas's gaze, silently assessing him and after a beat, his lips twisted, his smile as cold and menacing as the emotions roiling in those murky depths. "Be careful rich boy, we wouldn't want anything happening to that pretty face."

  "Right here," Nicholas pointed to his jaw, "you get one free shot, I dare you."

  "Nicholas, stop," Taking hold of his arm, Ellie pulled him back. "He's not worth it, trust me. Tony, just get out of here Ok?" She was suddenly very tired, deflated, her rage having melted away to fatigue and nausea.

  Ellie prayed that he would leave and was infinitely relieved when he spun on his heel to leave. "I'll keep in touch." The words, sounding more a threat than anything, made her sicker, inducing bile. She slammed the door with more force than intended and stepped out of Nicholas's embrace.

  The silence that came later was an impenetrable one, as cloying as it was discomforting. Nicholas, uncertain of what to say remained silent, words failing him. He wanted to hold her, comfort her, listen to her, and provide support if she would allow it. He wanted to instill wise words, words that would soothe both Ellie and himsel
f. Nicholas wanted so much, yearned for it, yet was ignorant to the ways of acquiring it. And so he remained where he was, fist clenched tightly at his side as he watched her struggle, incapable of helping her.

  "I'm not as squeaky clean as you think I am," She had her back to him, her voice, strained with emotions sounding thick and hoarse when she spoke.

  "Ellie----"

  "I've made mistakes, you know," Ellie bit the inner flesh of her cheek. "I mean I used to be good. Bishop’s daughter, honor roll in school, bright future and all that. But then I met Tony. He was really good with words and I was very impressionable. He introduced me to a lot of stuff. All of them really bad. The drugs were the worst though. I became lost in his world and he used me until I couldn’t even recognize myself anymore. I fell so hard for him that I didn’t realize until it was too late how bad he was for me.

  When I found out that I was pregnant with Sophie, I left. it’s been an incredibly hard road for me, Nicholas. Each day is a struggle but I do it because I owe it to Sophie and myself to be strong. I’ve been through so much and I’m not asking for your pity. I just want you to understand me…understand the reason why I’m so reluctant to let you in. Tony was my first everything and he nearly destroyed me.”

  No longer hindered by his own misgivings and shortcomings, Nicholas was by her side in seconds, enveloping her trembling body in an embrace that would've taken God's will alone to break. He held her as she clung on to him, her small body fitting so perfectly against his. He took the brunt of her sobs, wishing like nothing else that he could take away her hurt and when those sobs took them to the floor, Nicholas's hold remained steadfast, unyielding. Words were inconsequential.