Chapter 20 Potato Chips and Cider?
“This is Ryan, he will be your driver. Multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, expert in logistics and military driving. This is Christina, she will be your extra bodyguard especially in public when you need to use the restroom, or need any female assistance. She has secret service experience and was even a bodyguard for female members of the royal family in the Middle East. This is Mac, he is a tactical paramedic and trauma response expert—”
“Trauma response? Is that really necessary?” Nicki interrupted.
“Yes, baby, I need people around you who won’t panic and know what they are doing.
If you so much as feel lightheaded, he will be there to check your vitals and make sure you are hydrated and the rest of it, not to mention anything more serious.
And that there is Deacon, the driver of the other armored vehicle, in case this one gets a flat tire or anything like that. ”
“Wait, like a convoy? You want me to go to yoga in an armored motorcade?” Nicki asked.
Tyler shot over to Christina.
“Miss, do you enjoy yoga? Feel free to participate in that too, while she’s in there,” he said to her. “Of course, Sasha will also be with you as usual, since you like him so much.”
Tyler pecked Nicki on the cheek.
Nicki remained unmoved.
“Any questions?” he asked the group.
The elite team of hand-picked human weapons stood quietly.
“OK, thank you, everybody. It’s going to be a pleasure working with all of you and welcome to the team. Oh! And uh, if anything happens to my wife, you’re fired.”
Tyler turned back and kissed the defeated Nicki on the forehead, holding his hands on the side of her head.
“Wow, so I really don’t have a say in any of these matters, do I?”
Tyler looked at the security expert team and its black armored fleet.
“Do you like the colors of the cars? You can switch them out from black, pick whatever color you like, baby! And, you can get rid of your Corolla now. You don’t need to be driving anywhere anyway—”
“What? I’m not getting rid of that car! That’s my car and I love it!”
“I’m not saying don’t have any car, if you really want one, why don’t I get you a nice Porsche, huh? You’d look hot in a black 911, and you can park it beside my Revuelto. It’ll be like the car version of Bonnie and Clyde—”
“OK, tough guy, how about this? I’ll get rid of my old Toyota Corolla on the day you get rid of your 84’ Mustang. It’ll be like Bonnie and Clyde having a garage sale!” She folded her arms and lifted her eyebrows at him, wishing she had a bubble gum in her mouth to blow for added effect.
He looked down at her and his cavalier exterior cracked.
“I won’t mention it again.”
“That’s what I thought. I’m going inside,” Nicki quipped, rolling her eyes.
Tyler shot back with a devilish grin and followed her into the house.
Nicki was halfway up the staircase, on her way to the office.
“Hey, where are you going?” Tyler asked from the foyer.
“To my office to finish the inventory report. Friday.”
“You’re so good baby. But OK, what are you doing later?” Tyler asked with a sly smile.
Nicki shot him an exhausted look.
“I’m scared to say it. I don’t have plans tonight, just to finish work and go home. Why?” she asked suspiciously.
“I’m sorry, baby, I know I’m force-feeding you security and I’m being a little extra about it—”
“A little?”
Tyler smiled sweetly looking up at her.
“You know I just want you to be safe and have everything you need. You have my baby inside of you now. I’m sorry that it needs to be so excessive, it just does.
I love you and I can’t function if I am not certain you are fine.
But… I was thinking, tonight, we go somewhere.
There’s something important I still need to take care of. ”
“What is it? Go where?” Nicki asked, warming back up again, looking at his guileless face.
“I need to ask someone something in Chicago. Do you want to come with me tonight?”
“Oh my God, YES!” Nicki screamed, and ran down the steps and into his arms.
“Yes! Yes! Wait, you’re talking about my dad, right? Not any business stuff or anything else, right?”
“Haha, of course, honey, I want to meet your family. We can tell them the good news together. I’ll even wear a tie and everything.”
Nicki climbed higher onto Tyler and squeezed him tightly.
“Thank you, baby,” she whispered, her eyes flooding from joy.
“God, please don’t do this to me! Don’t cry, I can’t stand it,” he said.
“I can’t help it, I’m so happy! Are we going for the whole weekend?”
“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. Come on, go finish that report so we can get going,” Tyler said, tapping her on the bum.
“OK! Aaaah!” Nicki shouted, and ran up the stairs clapping her hands.
Tyler smirked at her cuteness.
Nicki finished the inventory report in lightning speed, and was checking it over just before she sent it to Jake. Her shoulders danced from the excitement as she typed; ecstatic to surprise her parents with the good news and for them to finally meet Tyler. Her joy was almost unbearable.
Knock, knock.
Tommy knocked on the one closed French door of her office.
“Tommy! You know you don’t have to knock, come on in!”
“Hi, honey. I, uh… I wanted to give you something,” Tommy said, holding a gift bag in his hand.
“Oh, you’re a sweetheart! But why did you even get me anything? What’s this for?”
“It’s nothing, don’t get too excited. I just wanted to give you something to let you know how happy I am for you,” Tommy said in a voice much quieter and less enthusiastic than his usual self. There was a sadness to it.
Nicki walked around the desk and guided him to the couch with her.
She took the gift bag and peeked inside.
“Oh, Tommy, is this what I think it is?” Nicki asked excitedly.
“Not quite.”
“Potato chips and Prosec—”
“Sparkling cider, actually. The non-alcoholic stuff. It probably tastes like piss, but—”
“Awww, I love it! Thank you!” Nicki threw her arms around him tightly.
He embraced her slowly, and they held each other for a minute, closely.
Nicki released first.
“Thank you, Tommy, this is really nice.”
“You’re welcome.”
“How are you doing? How’s Tiffany?” Nicki asked.
“Ha, that’s over,” Tommy said, now leaning back on the couch. “Not that it ever really began…”
“What? What do you mean? She was a sweet girl!” Nicki argued.
“Yeah… we never really vibed together that much,” Tommy replied, shaking his head.
“Well, then… why did you choose her to invite to Vegas for the weekend?”
Tommy shot over a look back at Nicki.
“Because she was your favourite.”
Nicki’s face hardened.
“No, Tommy—”
“And she’s smart. She saw it too. She told me when I dropped her off not to call her again. She said it was embarrassing watching me get drunk at Tyler’s birthday dinner, obviously upset at the news.”
“No, Tommy, no! First of all, that’s not it at all. It was so hot, we all had a lot to drink for two days, you guys raced cars on top of it. And with the engagement, it was so emotional for everyone! Don’t beat yourself up for drinking too much, in Vegas of all places—”
“She was right, Nicki. She called Tyler out when she saw him eyeing you on Valentine’s Day and she called me out for the same thing cause she’s not fucking blind. I tried my best, Nick, I really did, but that was the best I could do.”
Nicki sighed and rubbed his back.
Tommy pulled his hands through his long hair.
“Tommy… it’s OK. She is a nice girl, I’m sure she will understand—”
“Nicki, listen to me,” Tommy whispered intensely to her.
“I don’t think you understand. Fuck Tiffany, alright?
I don’t want her or any other fucking girl on my roster.
I’m done. I’m done with all of them. It doesn’t matter who I flirt with or who I fuck.
I can’t feel anything. Do you understand me?
I can’t feel anything for any girl, except for one. ”
Tommy’s eyes misted, his face turned red and he buried his face in his hands.
“I told you it was a fucking disease,” he mumbled.
Nicki waited a minute in the silence, rubbing his back.
“Tommy, honey. I love you so much. You are one of the most potent people I’ve ever met.
You are so authentic, and alive in your charm, and your energy is truly contagious.
I can’t tell you how happy I am that you are in my life.
You’re going to be the uncle to my baby!
Tyler’s baby. Are you aware how special that is for us? ”
Tommy lifted his head and turned to her.
“Oh my God, I’m going to be an uncle! I… didn’t realize,” Tommy said, with a little smile tugging at his lips.
“Of course you are, Tommy! And you’re going to be the best uncle in the world! I saw you at the hockey game with the kids. How you were high five-ing them, and carried them on your shoulders. Children love you! You’re going to be the best uncle and someday, the best dad!”
“OK, you went one too far, there, Nick, but I appreciate the kind words. And thanks. I’m actually really stoked to be your baby’s uncle. That’s rad.”
Tommy nodded, confirming his realization and his emerging smile proved it.
“Heh, uncle Tommy… You know, I don’t think that dad stuff is meant for me anyway.
Or a family of my own. Tyler is the family man.
It’s all he ever wanted. And you know what?
” Tommy turned to Nicki now, as if he was going to tell her a secret.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“I honestly think that he was a little jealous of the Leemans. Not just them, but the Mexicans too. They all have big families. Tens of uncles and sons and daughters, all working in the family business. Tyler always wanted a family, because we never had one. So, I’m glad he’s getting what he wants. And that it’s with you.”
He took a deep breath, feeling better.
“That’s really beautiful, Tommy. Thank you for telling me that. I’m happy to make Tyler a dad. To give him that family that he always wanted, and deserves. He’s going to be a really great dad. Maybe a little crazy! But that’s why we need the cool, relaxed uncle around for balance.”
“Yeah, he’s fucking crazy alright. But he will be a good dad. Like our dad was.”
Nicki slapped her hands on her knees. “Alright then, Uncle Tommy, I have a question for you, mister.”
“What’s that?”
“You wanna come to Chicago with us tonight? Meet my family? I’d really love it if you were there, when we tell my parents the good news.”
Tommy looked over at Nicki, smiled and shook his head. “I don’t know, Nick, that sounds like something you don’t need me for. I’ll just be a third wheel.”
“No! I do need you there! And Tyler needs you, always. Come on, you liked hanging out with my brother; Darek would love to see you again. Two uncles, drinking whiskey.”
“Alright, you won me over with the whiskey. And Darek’s cool. Wait, you don’t have any sisters, do you?”
Nicki smacked him on the arm. “No! But I’m so glad you are coming.”
She reached over for another hug. “Everything will work out the way it’s supposed to, you’ll see,” Nicki said, squeezing him tightly.
“Thanks, Nicki.”
Tyler walked into the office.
“Oh, what’s this love fest on the couch?” Tyler teased.
“Haha! Tommy is coming with us to Chicago!” Nicki exclaimed.
“Why?” Tyler asked.
“See?” Tommy asked Nicki, getting up off the couch, only to get pushed back down by Tyler.
“I was just telling Tommy how happy we are that he is our baby’s uncle, and that we would love it if he came with us to Chicago. Wouldn’t we?” Nicki asked Tyler. “Not to mention, it’s because of Tommy that I’m pregnant anyway.”
“What?” Tyler exclaimed.
Tommy looked at her perplexed.
Nicki burst out laughing.
“Guys, listen! Tyler, honey, you know that if it wasn’t for Tommy running away to Montana, and me not running after him to bring him home, you wouldn’t have come out there, and punished me for it—”
“I feel sick, I’m leaving—”
“Come here!” Tyler shouted, and pulled his brother into him, his arm around his neck.
“She’s actually right. It’s because of your ass that we are here now, cause the baby was conceived in Montana. So, thank you, brother.” Tyler kissed his brother’s cheek.
“Disgusting,” Tommy quipped.
“Oh, I love you guys!” Nicki shouted and joined in on the group hug.
“So, you’ll come with us to Chicago?” Tyler asked.
“Yes! I’ll come to Chicago! As long as you never mention how the baby was conceived ever again! It’s gross!” Tommy quipped, and stomped out.
Nicki and Tyler laughed to each other and did a double high five.
“Ah, I forgot something!” Nicki exclaimed and ran out of the office.
“Tommy!” she shouted down the staircase before flying down herself.
He stopped in the foyer, waiting for her.
She plopped onto him offering one more cathartic hug.
“Thank you for the sweetest gift I’ve ever received.”