Yours Book 3: Life Mastered

by Blue Saffire

  “I’ll teach you two better,” I murmur before drifting to sleep.

  It feels like I haven’t gotten any sleep when the phone rings pulling me from a deep slumber. Sephora is still cradled into my side. I am happy that being so close to me brings her comfort.

  I reach for my phone trying not to disturb her. She needs the sleep more than I do. I look at the screen quickly and breathe easier when I see it is not the hospital or anyone we left there. I pick up before it wakes Sephora.

  “Hello,” I grumble as I start to slip from the bed. Sephora gripes in her sleep, but she doesn’t wake. I walk into my closet and lean my hip up against the folding table.

  “Hello, Son,” the voice on the other end says. “It has been a long time since we have talked. I thought I would start with you. I have so much to be grateful to you for. Faraz warned me that you were the first to figure out that I was still alive. Thank you for not telling Luke and Sephora. I appreciate that.”

  “It is not a problem, Liam, but I think you are a little premature with calling me, son. I want to make some things clear to you before you reenter my wife’s life,” I reply to Liam Emilsson.

  “I expect nothing less. That is why I am calling first. I want to see my baby late this afternoon. I know she has been through a lot, and I know she is expecting. My family has grown while I have been away. I have a lot of catching up to do and a lot of time to make up for. I don’t think son, is premature. That is what you are, my son-in-law,” Liam states.

  “She is not your baby anymore. Sephora has changed, she has grown into an amazing woman. You and my father have left her and I to deal with your shit, and she has enough on her plate. If you are coming here, then it better be with an explanation on why you made her feel like shit before you fell off the face of the earth and had her mourning your ass when you were somewhere sipping margaritas,” I rumble.

  “South Africa…I haven’t been drinking margaritas. I have been suffering without my family in South Africa for the past two years. Before that, I was forced to roam from one location to the other. I missed both my baby girls walking down the aisle and my first grandchild was born without me.

  “I am not coming to play games in my children’s lives. I know they are angry, and they have every right to be. All I want is to be there for them,” Liam heaves a heavy breath. “I want my life back. My children, my wife. I know Faraz thinks I’m a coward for the way I dealt with things. Maybe I am. I thought I was doing the right thing at the time. Things were different.”

  “You don’t owe me anything. Just make sure my wife gets what she needs. Don’t hurt her. I mean it,” I say firmly. “My brothers will be the least of your worries if you hurt Sephora.”

  “I don’t have it in my heart to hurt my Lilla du,” Liam says softly.

  “Bullshit, you already have,” I snap and end the call.

  ~ B~

  Sephora

  I wake to Nick peppering kisses all over my face. My eyes flutter open, and his green gaze is the first thing I see. I smile up at him until yesterday comes crashing back in. I shut my eyes again wanting to restart and make all the bad stuff go away.

  “Mark is stable. There is still swelling on the brain, but the doctors sound hopeful. Bailey won’t leave his side so Dylan has given her something to eat and Heather is taking her a change of clothes,” Nick says in a soothing voice.

  “I can’t believe this is happening,” I say.

  “Yeah, I know what you mean. Listen, I have something to tell you,” Nick says cautiously. “You tell me how you want to handle this, and I will make it happen.”

  I sit up on my elbows. “What? What is it now? Please, Nick, I don’t know how much more I can handle,” I say sadly. “Is Kimmie okay?”

  “Kimmie is fine,” Nick snorts. “Your brother won’t let her or Lilla out of his sight. It’s your father. Brooklyn talked to a friend of ours in the Locatelli family. He is the right person to talk to for something like this. The older members would not take the time to question your father’s actions.

  “Our friend is powerful enough to halt any threats against your dad. Brooklyn was able to get the okay on your father’s safety so he has come out of hiding. Gavin and Rick have nothing to threaten him with,” Nick explains as he searches my eyes.

  “That’s good right,” I say cautiously not sure how I feel about this yet. It is not as if I hadn’t known that Brooklyn was trying to help. I just thought it would take a lot longer.

  “Yeah… it is. What I am trying to tell you, Baby, is that your father is here,” Nick finally says.

  “What do you mean, here,” I gasp.

  “He has cooked a big lunch for the two of you, and he is waiting for you downstairs,” Nick grimaces.

  “Oh my God,” I say more excited than I thought I would be.

  I wiggle out of the bed and lift to my feet. I have to use the bathroom, so I can’t run off just yet. I rush as fast as my growing belly will allow and go to handle my business.

  My mind is racing. I thought my father was dead for the past two and a half almost three years. I have so many questions for him, but I really just want to see him. From the talk I had privately with my mom, the fights she and my dad used to have were not about the affair.

  They were arguing about the pressure Gavin and Rick were putting on him. They were arguing about the danger that we were all in and what to do about it. That was as much as my mother was willing to share with me. She said my father wanted to tell me the rest.

  So here he is, and I am ready to hear it. I finish in the bathroom and rush to throw on a pair of shorts and a tank top. A glance in the mirror tells me I have a lot to learn about my new hair. Short hair may not be the smart thing for me. It is not long enough for one of my messy, convenient buns.

  I rush into the kitchen with Nick on my heels. I should have known he wouldn’t be willing to let me do this on my own. I am silently grateful for that. I gasp and come to a halt when my father comes into view sitting at our kitchen island.

  He looks older, tanner, and sadder than I remember. He is still as handsome as ever, though. An older version of Lucian. Mom did well. My father is a gorgeous man. He could have been a model in his day. Heck, he is doing the silver fox thing pretty well.

  “Daddy,” I find myself squealing when the air returns to my lungs.

  He stands to his full height and stretches his arms out wide. I run right into them. My belly gets in the way but I wrap my arms around him and cling to him as best I can. I don’t realize I am sobbing until I hear my father soothing me.

  “Shh, Lilla du, I’m here now. Shh, my baby girl. Papa’s here,” my father croons as he smoothes down my hair.

  I pull away and look up into his grey eyes. “You missed my wedding,” I whisper as I wipe away my tears. “And my graduation.”

  Daddy sighs, his eyes glisten. “I missed a lot of things that I will have to regret for the rest of my life. All of my children are married. You and Lucian have started families. I am so proud of you all,” he says and cups my face.

  “I missed you,” I say so softly I’m not sure I even hear it.

  “I missed you too. For longer than you know. I’m sorry for all of the shitty things I had to do to protect you, Lilla du. I had to make things look a certain way to see if I could get them to leave you alone. I never thought you would fall in love with Nick and place yourself right in the middle,” Daddy pauses with a faint smile on his lips and shakes his head. “Leave it to you to fall in love with danger.”

  “Nick is not the danger,” I pout.

  Daddy throws his head back and laughs. He looks younger with it. I decide right then that I want to see him laugh more.

  “Let’s eat,” Daddy says and ways me over to the table he has set. “I want to feed my grandchildren and catch up with my daughter.”

  “Do Lucian and Ettie know you are here,” I ask as I take a seat.

  “Your mother thought it would be nice if I surprised you all one by one. Ettie
will be my next stop,” Daddy says with a sad smile.

  “You’re not looking forward to meeting with Lucian, are you,” I observe.

  “No Lilla du, I’m not. Your brother is very angry with me. I don’t think he is going to be very forgiving. He said some harsh things the last time we spoke. I know he has some strong feelings,” Daddy sighs.

  “Give him a chance. He has changed,” I offer as I pick up a sandwich and take a bite into it. It is perfect just the way he always made them, all ooey gooey goodness.

  I sigh in contentment. When I look at Nick, he is watching me with a smile on his face. I haven’t seen that smile in a long time. He winks at me, and I continue to eat my sandwich happily.

  “So Daddy, now that you have bribed me with food, tell me what I want to know,” I say as I turn back to my father.

  “And what is it that you want to know, Princess,” my father asks with a smile.

  “Why’d you break my heart,” I say wiping the smile from his face.

  He nods. “We will be here for a while, but first I need you to know everything I have done in the past has been to protect the family,” He says with genuine pain in his voice.

  “Then make me understand, Daddy and I will never bring it up again,” I whisper.

  “Deal.”

  chapter Twenty-four

  Sorry

  Sephora

  I spent the afternoon with my Dad, and I have to say I feel a hundred pounds lighter. We had a good talk, and it was good to see my dad and husband getting along. My father helped me to finally understand his actions.

  Harvey Carver had thought it best if daddy played the villain and made it look to the world like his family hated him and wanted nothing to do with him. That way we would be less of a target because it looked like daddy didn’t care about us.

  Harvey had tried to advise him through all of this, and he had kept an eye on us for daddy. So I guess he was being genuine that night as the fundraiser. I don’t know when it comes to Harvey. When we went to confront him about Jillian he would only speak with Nick, and me, and he still wasn’t forthcoming with information. I could have sworn he actually lost coloring in his pale face when Nick told him my father would most likely be returning.

  However, my father seems to trust him. Harvey being older than my dad and his friends has made Harvey more of a mentor in the group. Daddy brushed off Harvey’s reluctance to reveal Jillian's whereabouts as him being a protective father.

  I guess daddy could be right. I just think that we could have a lot of questions answered if we could find her. All in all, my father appease my concerns, and we fell right into an old comfort that I have longed for. I was so happy until the real world started to creep back in.

  Nick’s phone started to ring nonstop, and our attention was once again being called to the drama unfolding around us. First Nick was asked to come down to the precinct to answer a few questions about Mark’s shooting.

  Apparently, they received an anonymous tip that Nick was involved in the shooting. They had nothing, and we were out of there before Nick could decide to lawyer up. I think that had a lot to do with a livid Joe Black showing up.

  That all took up all of our day since I slept most of the morning and afternoon away before spending time with my dad. By the time we returned home, we had fallen out and never made it to the hospital to check on Mark.

  Now we are back at the hospital. After an hour of Mrs. Feinberg being a colossal bitch, Mr. Feinberg dragged her out of Mark’s room. He said he was taking her home to give the rest of us time to visit Mark in peace.

  I, for one, was extremely grateful. She was giving me a headache with her whining and bitching. I could tell she was making Bailey uncomfortable as well. Kimmie on the other hand, just glared at her.

  It has been good to see sparks of the old Kimmie coming back. One more comment and I do believe, Mrs. Feinberg was going to get a full view of the old Kimmie up close, live, and personal. I really would have enjoyed that.

  This is the first time I have been alone with Mark. Kimmie had to go home to care for Lilla and Bailey’s creepy roommate turned up with some emergency she needed Bailey to tend to right away. I really don’t like that girl.

  Nick is not that far away meeting with a team that plans to put this all to bed finally. My dad went to Ettie’s to surprise for breakfast. I guess Lucian will get dinner in tonight.

  Mark is in a medically induced coma. I know he probably can’t hear me, but I’m going to say my piece anyway. I have to.

  “Hey Mark, it’s me, Sophi,” I start feeling pretty stupid. “I know everyone says this is not my fault, but I feel like it is. You’re my friend and you were put in danger because of me.

  “You are always in the middle of something because of me. Remember the one time I talked you into that hack fest. You told me it was a bad idea, but you went along with it anyway,” I can’t help laughing a little.

  “How was I supposed to know that fool that organized it left an open loop for us all to get caught. You totally took the wrap for me, though. Your dad had to step in and save the day.

  “I like your dad. He is funny. I think he is sweet on Bailey. He guards her against your mom. Trust me that is a good thing. If it weren’t for him, I think your mother would have run off your girlfriend. I thought I had it bad with Faraz.

  “Yanno, I don’t think Bailey is going to be that easy to run off. She is crazy about you. She saved your life. So don’t mess this up, okay. You have to wake up to be with her, to be happy,” I sniffle.

  “I’m so sorry, Mark. I’m sorry I didn’t get how you felt about me. I’m sorry I hurt you and that I wasn’t a better friend. And I am so freaking sorry you are lying here because of me. You deserve so much better.”

  “You know I don’t think he blames you for any of that,” Mr. Feinberg’s voice startles me. “Sorry, dear.”

  “Oh no, I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you come in,” I say and look down at my lap.

  “Ah, I needed a break from Barbara as much as you all did. “I swear that woman is driving me crazy. I started dating Mark’s mother because it was what my parents wanted,” I look up to see Mr. Feinberg staring off as if he sees his memories.

  “I was already in love with someone, but my parents were insistent that I marry a nice Jewish girl,” he snorts. “Barbara was Jewish, but I don’t know about the nice. Hell, my mother apologized to me on her death bed. That should tell you something.

  “The greatest thing that ever came from my marriage is lying in this hospital bed, and that has me questioning all my decisions. Life is so short. My son is finally happy, and now this is happening.

  “He lights up for Bailey. She is good for him. You know how they say someone can be your creative soulmate. I think that is what you are for Mark. He confused it for a different type of soulmate.

  “I’ve seen the work you two do together, and I have witnessed you two working as a team a time or two. It’s like watching the tech version of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It is phenomenal, but I have seen you with your husband and Mark with Bailey. Those two matches are perfect,” Mr. Fienberg gives me a knowing smile.

  “Mark and I talk a lot. My boy keeps me sane,” he chuckles. “It was finally sinking in that he needs you both, just not in the way he thought. I’m grateful to your husband. The way he reached out to Mark was important to my son. It is also how he met Bailey. But I think you and I know that was no coincidence.”

  Mr. Feinberg laughs and winks at me. I smile and hold back a laugh. I think everyone knows how serious Nick is about keeping what’s his, his.

  “Don’t beat yourself up Sephora. I have spoken with Nick. He has shared with me what is going on and who you all believe is behind this. My son is an honorable man. I know he did what he thought was best. He was protecting you and Bailey. That I am just about certain of. Don’t fault him his honor. It is a part of who he is and what we love about him. He will pull through.”

  I nod my head. “Thank yo
u, Mr. Feinberg,” I say softly.

  “Call me, Yosef, and you are welcome. I have watched you grow into a fine young woman, Sephora. I am very proud of you. I have heard great things in the business world. You are making quite the name for yourself. At FLI and at S&M,” Mark’s dad chuckles. “I love the pun on the name by the way.”

  This time, I do laugh and hard. It was Mark’s idea, and Nick thought it was hilarious, but he said we should go with it. So we did. I am proud of what Mark and I have started. I can’t wait to have my partner back.

  Yosef and I fall into a quiet conversation that makes the time fly by. We talk well into the evening as no one from the staff would dare try to throw either of us out. We both found it strange that Bailey hadn’t made it back, but I reassured Yosef that Nick had a team on her as well.

  chapter Twenty-five

  Hello Brother

  Nick

  The last few days have been utter chaos. Between the shooting, Bailey disappearing, and Liam returning there hasn’t been a quiet moment. Mark is still in a coma and Bailey is still gone. Johnathan has been sick over not protecting her like he was supposed to.

  We really don’t think she left on her own free will. My gut is telling me it has nothing to do with my family issues, but I am still intent on helping to find her. When Mark wakes up, the last thing he needs is to find out something happened to the woman he loves.

  With all this going on Sephora and I haven’t been able to focus on our little family at all. We still haven’t been able to reschedule her doctor’s appointment. We have both changed our minds about finding out the sex of the babies.

  With all that has happened, we think it would be a nice surprise if we wait. Two healthy babies. That is what is most important to us both. Boys or girls or a mixture of both it doesn’t matter.

  I pick up the phone in my home office, to call John to see if he would be willing to do a house call, at Sephora’s request. However, the line is open when I put the receiver to my ear.