| Subject: Chapter 293 - Part 2 (end of chapter 293) |
Author:
KatherineG.
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Date Posted: Monday, July 02, 07:28:32am
In reply to:
KatherineG.
's message, "Dreams in the Dark - continues with chapter 289 >" on Monday, June 18, 06:55:17am
It was this truth which worried him the most, this he couldn't get past; Rene motioned him to the side, as the others talked amongst themselves, getting ready for the more intensive planning to come. His old friend looked deep into his eyes for a second--seeing into his soul as always, his words typically insightful. "You know it's real now, don't you? You can't give up the child."
This had never really been his intention --but he understood the designer's words, answered in kind, his gaze on the floor. "You have to protect them both, Rene." There was a long silence, before he looked back up to the man. "You have to ensure that they both come through alright."
This subtle plea made the blond man smile, happy at the change before him--even for all the obvious anxiety the man suffered. After all, he had known the actor through all his children and near-children--had done his best to console, when Michael had been able to do nothing but berate himself for Adam's existence, had given what advice he could when his relationship with poor Simone had taken a similar path. He wasn't even certain that the actor had been the father of Simone's child--the murdered woman having been put through so much--but such facts hadn't entirely mattered. Physical paternity had not been the issue; emotional commitment had. Rene's hand patted his old friend's elbow admiringly. And Michael had never been one to abandon those he loved.
This was the designer's view of him, even if he realized that the actor thought differently sometimes--but that, to his mind, was too foolish to go into. In some ways, then, Michael's reaction to Nikita's pregnancy had come as a surprise--his determination that his wife came first almost flinty; Helmut had commented on it privately more than once. But Rene understood it all. Up to now, the man's faith had been wavering. He simply hadn't been capable of believing that he was worthy of something so good.
This fear came partly from the fact that he had somewhat abandoned his first child and had been denied any opportunity to even attempt to claim the second. While the designer still suspected that the man's very nature prevented him from believing in his own, full self-worth--Michael's immense confidence always rooted in a simpler, more material knowledge that he could fulfill whatever physical demands were put on him--he was pleased to see that he was allowing himself to dream. It was lovely. And it was the very first time he had ever seen the actor admit that a future as a family--just himself, Nikita, and their children--was real enough to merit such belief.
He patted the man's arm gently, nodding confidently; even the fact that his old friend had addressed him in French--having merely slipped back into it, reopening himself to his past--seemed a positive shift. He returned the favor softly, giving him the promise he always had. "We'll do everything there is to see all of you safe."
This wasn't an empty vow, at least half of the designer's time no longer fully dedicated to his job; he was surprised that Helmut managed to get any bank work done, either. In fact, Kate was already aiding him--ghost-designing, he supposed--was being kind enough to take none of the credit, not that Madeline would have allowed it, anyway. But none of that really mattered. Even above the firm fact of his friendship, there were old debts to repay; his gaze shone at his old friend warmly. The fact that the actor had once weaned him from a heroin addiction which might otherwise well have killed him was only one of many.
The rest of this party--with the exception of Adrian, who felt she owed it to both Nikita herself, as well as Roberta by proxy--had no such, pressing motivations. Still, they were here and devoted, nonetheless. For one reason or another, all of them were determined to see this fight through to a very happy end.
There was one person missing, of course, and that was Andrew. For all his good work with Nikita on the set, his anxious watching over her, he hadn't been invited. No matter how much devotion he showed, he simply didn't belong.
No one here questioned this, Sasha included--who seemed to spend the most time with him outside the set. The rest of them had plans, were unshakable in their intent. But all of them had tacitly agreed that the young actor simply wasn't mature enough to know their every move.
Adrian especially had seen this a month ago, had discovered again what a flawed guardian she had chosen. Still, as she had discovered many times in her life--her choice of husband only the most obvious of these moments--beggars couldn't be choosers. Sometimes, you took your allies wherever they were available. And then you hoped that something better would come along.
It was this fact Michael too was coming to understand, most of his own allies among his unit less than perfect. Sikes alone was the one he had some faith in, the one who would probably still be there, even if he were put under heavy pressure to turn away. The rest would aid him only so long as it didn't cause them any trouble. But even a flawed guardian could be a help.
The group sat down at this point, Nikita looking over to her husband, smiling devotedly into his eyes--and he felt all such truths disappearing, his whole soul's love swamping through him once again. No matter what--no matter the danger, or the damage, or the fears--he would be with her; he smiled tenderly, taking her hand, as he propped himself on the arm of the sofa beside her. And then they and their child would all live a contented life as one.
[End of Part 293]
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