In the Nick of Time

by Laveen, Tiana

  And what could be more promising than a brand new baby entering the world?

  Bright pink and sage green balloons bobbed about along with matching streamers as he inhaled her scent, then placed a solemn kiss atop her glorious head. This was their thing; no one knew the full meaning of the act except the two of them, cocooned in their own little, private utopia. Their eyes met and, rising on her tippy toes, she land a kiss on his lips. He wrapped his arms tighter around her waist. The toilet paper bow that now cinched the back of her shirt tickled his knuckles. Drawing her a wee bit closer, almost forgetting that they weren’t alone, he gave her kiss upon kiss on her mouth.

  “All right now!” her mother called out playfully. “That’s how you two ended up in this position in the first place!”

  Everyone burst out laughing, including the two of them.

  “I look at you, and sometimes I’m still amazed that you’re all mine,” he whispered in her ear. “And now, we’re about to have a baby… just, wow. How does that feel?”

  She leaned in to whisper back, “It feels like a snowflake landing on my tongue… a man freezing to death as he rips buttons off his coat to pledge himself to the woman he adores. It feels like being told, ‘You’re cancer free’, and like a kiss atop a bald head. What’s it feel like to have your dream come true?”

  “It feels like someone is watching over me, over us… It feels like you saved me, Taryn… from myself. I’ll always be a beast, it’s in me, but the hurt and the anger, it’s processed, it’s gone. The monster is dead and I have no intentions of trying to find his killer. Besides, there is no need… She is standing right beside me.” He paused, kissed her cheek. “And I happily handed her the knife…”

  Epilogue

  …Four years later

  The thick, impenetrable snow that blanketed the city had impeded the search. Nick reluctantly returned to the precinct, covered in the frigid mess, barely able to feel his damn toes. As he approached his desk, he was stopped cold. Captain O’Sullivan had relaxed a bit, calmed down in his old age, but Nick was certain the reason could be attributed to him being due to retire in a few short months, and he was simply getting a head start on taking it easier.

  The big guy had pulled the plug on his sixteen-hour work day, made him go home once and for all. Nick had cut down his work hours, for he had a family now, but the workaholic in him simply squeezed more into shorter spans of time, causing the people around him to no doubt fantasize about doing him harm as he demanded more and more from them. When he entered his house that evening after a brutal commute, the strong scent of cocoa and mint greeted him at the door. He stood there with the cold wind beating at his back, then slammed it shut and removed his hat, scarf, and gloves.

  Somebody’s baking and making peppermint tea…

  He smiled as he walked into the dwelling, his stomach growling in anticipation. Tamara, his three year old daughter, immediately raced into his arms, her little gray and pink fuzzy pajamas wrapped around her tiny body and her messy, dark brown curly hair bouncing about with each clumsy step. He picked her up and swung her around and around.

  “Daddy!” she squealed as he paraded towards the kitchen with her. Jonathan, his one and a half year old son, looked up at him with his big light brown eyes from his semi-resting position on the floor. His chubby legs spread open as he lofted about, he gripped a plastic block in one hand and his heart with the other.

  “What you got there, huh? Playing with blocks?” He placed Tamara back down, hunkered onto the floor, and sat cross-legged beside the boy as the pantry light went off. Picking up one yellow plastic block, and then another, he began to stack them, up, up, up.

  “Ahhhh!” he screamed out laughing when Tamara knocked the things over and raced away, a devilish series of giggles trailing behind her. “You knocked Daddy’s special surprise down!” Then she raced back in his direction, a ball full of energy, and plopped down atop him, causing him to sigh in mock angst.

  “A special surprise?” She looked up at him, her big dark eyes full of eager excitement.

  “Yeah, Jonathan and I were going to build a castle. You want to help?”

  The girl nodded emphatically, a huge grin on her face as she sat right next to him.

  Just then, he felt a hand on his shoulder and the fluttery image of something silky and light green brushed against his shoe. He looked up, and saw his flower standing there.

  “So you all are just going to camp right here in the kitchen? This isn’t a gymnasium, you know?” She smirked and winked at him before turning away and placing a can of pineapple chunks onto the counter.

  “It’s not? Sure looks like a fun place to me!” He winked back at her when she rolled her eyes from his snarky response.

  “Look, Daddy! I made uh door!” Tamara happily exclaimed, lining her blocks up just like so.

  “Ohhhhh! Would you look at that! You sure did. I think I’ll walk right inside.”

  “Nooooo, Daddy!” The girl giggled. “You’re too big to walk in!”

  Just then, Jonathan moved his arm past the blocks, repaying the favor, and knocking her creation to kingdom come.

  “Jonathan!” the girl angrily cried out, her face turning red.

  Nick stifled a chuckle. “Tamara, it was an accident.”

  “No!” the girl protested as she started anew.

  Jonathan sat there with a happy smile, cradling one of the blocks to his chest, a somewhat satisfied grin creasing his face. Nick winked at the boy, ruffled his thick, black curls, and got to his feet. He walked over to Taryn and stood behind her, cradling her close, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her neck. Taking a look over his shoulder, he took note that the children were well distracted. Then… he pushed his groin into her ass, and then again, while moaning into her ear.

  “…Nasty.” She chuckled as she turned the can opener around and around against the metal ridge of the tin.

  “What’s for dinner?” he asked, kissing the back of her neck, loving the scent of her perfume.

  “I decided to make some cornbread dressing, green beans, and baked chicken… and for dessert, pineapple upside down cake.”

  “Mmmm, sounds good.” He grinded into her a bit harder. “I’m starting to like this vacation thing you’re on more and more each day!” He laughed into her ear as he slid his hands against the pockets of her robe, noticing a slight bulge in one. “You know the way to a man’s heart.” He kissed her earlobe.

  “You’re just greedy,” she teased.

  Slapping her on the rear at her comment, he turned back towards their children.

  “You all hungry?!” he asked, clapping his hands, quite famished himself.

  “Yes! I want some cookies, Daddy!”

  “Tamara, we’ve already been over this.” Taryn huffed. “You can have a cookie after you eat your dinner. I hid them so you couldn’t sneak in and get them.” She smiled. “You’ll spoil your appetite.”

  The little girl sneered in disappointment and began to stack the blocks in a different shape, slapping them around along the way. Taryn turned from the counter and disappeared back inside the pantry. Taking a few moments to ensure the coast was clear, he quickly swooped down, dug in his pocket, and presented a cookie partially wrapped in a napkin to Tamara.

  The little girl gasped, glee dancing in her eyes, while a toothy grin broke out across her face. Without a moment to lose, she quickly accepted it.

  “Don’t tell your mother,” he whispered and kissed the side of her face. “Eat it fast… before she sees you.”

  …She didn’t even feel me slide it out of her pocket. Damn I’m good!

  She nodded emphatically and stuffed it unceremoniously inside her mouth with both hands. Getting back to his feet, he looked down at his children, happy to see them, be with them, enjoy the moment. Though he worked hard, and dedicated a portion of his life to try to help other families gain some peace and closure, he understood that time wasn’t promised to anyone. It had to be valued, appreciated, a
nd given its just due. It had to be obeyed, or opportunities for growth, maturity, lessons learned, and blessings could be missed.

  …And he was happy to have had a beautiful teacher. For she taught him to respect it, and himself, and she’d done it just in the nick of time…

  The End

  Music Directory

  Please note: Each musical selection listed in this directory was mentioned in a specific scene in this book. The songs, however, may not be listed in the order that they were cited in the text. I always encourage readers to re-read scenes with the song mentioned; this adds another layer to the experience. If you enjoyed a particular song after finding the video version online, please show your appreciation by purchasing an authorized copy of the track/record wherever legal copies of music are sold.

  1. The Police – Roxanne

  2. Charles Mingus – Moanin’

  3. John Coltrane’s – Blue Train

  4. La India (Puerto Rican singer)

  5. Sam Smith – I’m Not the Only One

  6. The Talking Heads Greatest Hits

  7. Whitney Houston – Dance With Somebody

  8. Chaka Demus and Pliers – Murder She Wrote

  9. Mungo Jerry – In the Summertime

  10. Jacoo – Memories

  11. Amy Winehouse – Rehab

  12. The Brothers Johnson – Stomp

  13. Jane Child – Don’t Want to Fall in Love

  14. Stevie Wonder – Another Star

  15. Wu Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M

  16. The Dream – Purple Kisses

  17. The Dream – Shorty is a ten

  18. Vancouver Sleep Clinic – Collapse

  19. Brian Ferry – Slave to Love

  20. Ed Sheeran – I See Fire (Kygo Remix)

  21. Lavell Evans – So Intoxicated

  22. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Under the Bridge

  23. Naked Eyes – Always Something There to Remind

  24. Journey –Don’t stop believing

  25. Karavelo – You Don’t Even Know

  26. Montana 300 – Try Me

  27. Bruno Mars – When I Was Your Man

  28. Jackson Browne – Somebody’s Baby

  29. Paul Simon – 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover

  30. Chicago – Wishing You Were Here

  31. Dr. Hook – When You’re In Love With a Beautiful Woman

  32. Lord Finesse – Hip 2 Da Game

  33. Future – I Won

  34. Jay-Z feat. Beyoncé – On The Run

  35. 38 Special – Caught Up In You

  36. Michael Bublé – Everything

  37. Mos Def – Mathematics

  38. LCD SoundSystem – Dance Yrself Clean

  39. Daley – Alone Together (featuring Marsha Ambrosius)

  40. Simon and Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water

  Thank You to the Readers

  Thank you so much for purchasing the book, ‘In the Nick of Time.’ Thank you for taking the time to read it and my wish is that you enjoyed it. I greatly appreciate it, and hope that you read more of my books in the near future.

  Happy Reading.

  Sincerely,

  Tiana Laveen

  ~A Little Police Trivia~

  Question: What does Cop stand for/mean?

  ANSWER: When the first police force began to patrol in the summer of 1845, they only used badges on their civilian clothing. The badges consisted of eight pointed stars with the seal of the City at the center and were made of stamped copper. The newspapers of the time referred to the new force as the “Star Police” but people, seeing the shiny copper shields, began to call the new force “Coppers”, which was later shortened to “Cops.”

  There is also a British police term, Constable On Patrol, which may account for the term “cops” in England as well.

  source: NYCpolicemuseum.org

  Book Club Questions

  1. How does Nick’s educational and ‘School of Hard Knocks’ background assist him with his career?

  2. What are the top reasons you believe Nick became an addict?

  3. When Nick and Taryn first meet, there is an instant attraction. What, besides the physical aspect, sparks their mutual attraction to one another?

  4. With Nick being around death so much as a child and teenager, one may think he’d be opposed to dealing with it professionally later in his life. Instead, he seems to gravitate towards it, and he wishes to help people. Why do you think this is?

  5. Taryn’s parents are initially opposed to her and Nick being together. If you were Taryn’s mother or father, would you have behaved similarly or differently to how Mr. Jones acts went Nick visits their home for the first time?

  6. Taryn’s career aspirations are fueled by her life-changing event. What in your own life possibly altered your path, or had you take a detour when you discovered a new goal for yourself based on personal hardships?

  7. Taryn has a myriad of interesting friends and associates. How do you think this circle of people helps in regard to her development as a person?

  8. There is quite a lot of symbolism in this book. For example, the description and use of time in regard to gained, wasted, and cherished second chances. What other symbolism did you notice?

  9. How do you believe Nick’s unique relationship with his mother helps him when he becomes an adult?

  10. Nick’s father wasn’t in his life. What do you believe are some of the repercussions for men in particular whose fathers are absent from their lives?

  11. Do you believe that Taryn and Nick will continue to endure and their marriage last?

  12. What was one of your favorite scenes in this book?

  Charities and Research

  If you would like to donate to breast cancer awareness, research and for a cure, please take a look at these below websites. Each dollar gets us a bit closer to a cure!

  https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-donations – National Breast Cancer

  http://ww5.komen.org/Donate/Donate.html – Susan G. Komen

  http://www.bcrfcure.org/ – Breast Cancer Research Foundation

  Drug Dependency Help

  If you or someone you love is suffering from drug or alcohol addiction, please consider getting help. The first step is admitting the truth. The second is picking up the phone…

  http://www.recovery.org/topics/addiction-recovery-helplines/ – This website will assist with giving information on centers dedicated to recovery all over the country. (United States)

  http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline – SAMHSA’s National Helpline (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service) is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental health and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.

  Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit the online treatment locators.

  Author Biography

  Tiana Laveen was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. She moved away, and now lives inside of her mind, but her heart is occupied with her husband, two children, and twisted imagination. She enjoys a fulfilling and enriching life that includes writing books, public speaking, drawing, painting, listening to music, cooking, and spending time with loved ones.

  Tiana Laveen is a uniquely creative and innovative author whose romance fiction is geared towards those who not only want to temporarily escape from the daily routines of life, but also became pleasantly caught up in the twisted, well-developed journeys of her unique characters. Tiana creates a painting with words as she guides her reader into the lives of each and every main character. Her dedication to detail and staying true to her characters is evident in each novel that she writes.

  Her works include “Cross Climax I,” “Cross Climax II,” “The Slave Master’s Son,” “The Naughty Sins of a Saint,” “I Want Candy,” “When Saint Goes Ma
rching In,” “Swirled Satin Sheets I,” “In My Sister’s Shadow,” “Swirled Satin Sheets II,” “Saved and SAINTified,” “Addicted In Cold Blood,” “Forgive Me Father For I Have Loved,” “Saint’s Sacrament – Sins of the Father,” “The Tale of the Blood Diamond,” “The Unearthing of Blackstone,” “Saint and Sinners – The King Angel Child of New York,” “Smoke and Mirrors,” “The Fight Within” and “In The Nick of Time.”

  If you wish to communicate with Tiana Laveen, please contact her at www.facebook.com/tianalaveen.

  The author’s website is: www.tianalaveen.com