Chapter Fifty One - Time To Party

“Miguel, that is one great weocoe hoe cauk”

Miguel looked at Nicholas with a puzzled “Excuse me?”

Vicki laughed “I think he means welcome home cake, Miguel”

Nicholas was sitting on the coach, His legs were propped up on the table which would be a big ‘’no –no’’ with his mother normally but naturally ignored now.

He swallowed the remains of the chocolate cake he was still chewing on in a big gulp and wiped his lips, brushing the crumbs away “Yea, it’s great Miguel, thanks”

Nikki approached them with a big grin “Yes Miguel, your cake seem to be a great success with Nicholas, It is... well, *was* his third slice” She ruffled his hair affectionately. and set down.

Nicholas protested good naturally “Hey, I’m a growing boy”

He patted his stomach “I’m still so hungry, I feel I can eat a horse right now”

Vicki made a disgusted face and said jokingly “A *horse*? Just keep away from Jupiter, okay little brother?”

Miguel smiled “I’m afraid I haven’t cooked one of your father’s horses, Nicholas, but I’m sure it would be to your liking”

Nicholas grinned “I’m sure it would, Miguel”

Victor, finishing his second slice laughed and said “Nicholas was right Miguel, it‘s excellent”

Sharon agreed “It really was Miguel…”

Nikki set down next to Victor and slapped his wrist playfully as he reached out with his fork to take his third slice “Hey, you won’t have room for lunch”

Victor looked at Nikki with a smile spreading on his face, it was unbelievable how her demeanor changed from the moment Nicholas was declared free, and She hasn’t stopped smiling.

Victor told her, “It’s not for me, it’s for you, it’s fabulous, Miguel outdid himself this time”

Nikki protested weakly as the cake smelled wonderful “Victor, with the amount of calories in this thing, it’s a perfect sin”

Vicki licked her fingers “No, it’s a tasty sin, mom”

Victor held the three layered chocolate generous slice up and fed it to Nikki who nearly choked on the huge slice “Hmmm….Oh…It’s too good”

She giggled like a child when she wiped the chocolate off the tip of her nose and Victor had to fight the desire to kiss her, they agreed they won’t tell the kids today.


Victoria looked at them happily, they looked so cheerful and so content, maybe some good will come out from this whole mess…

Nicholas, watching the exchange from his seat, shook his head and sighed as he recognized the all too familiar look in his older sister’s eyes. “I know my parents” He thought, “They get close in time of crisis and then drift apart again”

He sighed, he learned to expect it and not get upset.
Vicki was different. She always hoped for the happy end and always got hurt when it never happened.

He was worried that she was setting herself for another painful fall.

He looked at Sharon that was sitting on the arm of the couch and caressed her cheek.

She smiled at him “What?” He whispered “Nothing… I just love you”

Sharon smiled at him, tearing up, and they kissed softly…

Sitting on the opposite Couch, Nikki watched them quietly, as well as the rest of the family.

Vicki met her mother's eyes with a frown, wondering to herself “Now that the crisis is over, what *are* you going to do about Sharon, mom?”

Nikki knew exactly what her daughter was thinking of…and had no idea what she’ll do about her, if she’ll do anything at all.

The protective mother in her wanted to tear Sharon away from her son, as she felt with a woman’s instinct that Sharon not only possess sophistication – but also basic survivor instinct, and a manipulative side.

Nikki usually appreciated that in a woman, but not necessarily for her future daughter in law.

But then, tearing Sharon away from Nicholas might cause more harms than good, and he might resent her forever.

Nikki was shaken from her thoughts by the door ring, as Miguel went to open it he called out “Mrs Chancellor, how nice to see you”

Nikki got up on her feet with a smile “Catherine?”

Catherine showed up in the doorway, and Nikki walked toward her and embraced her “Ohh....It’s so good to see you!”

Catherine caressed Nikki’s cheek affectionately “Not as much as it does my heart good to see you smiling again”

Nikki grinned, “Can you blame me? I got my son back” She sent a loving look toward Nicholas.

Nicholas got up to greet his godmother “Hey Catherine! What are you doing here?”

Catherine announced “Visiting you, of course”

Nicholas grinned and she hugged him tightly “Oh…let me take a look at you”

Nicholas stepped back and said apologetically “I need a hair cut”

Catherine waved her hand, brushing it off “Nonsense. You look as handsome as ever, a little too thin maybe, but most definitely a hunk” She glanced at Victor “Just like your father”

Victor chuckled and kissed Catherine on the cheek “Your sense of humor will never fade, won’t it Kay?”

Catherine declared “Never! But then I wasn’t joking” and pinched Nicholas on the cheek.

Nicholas said, “Hey, knock it off, You keep this up you’ll get me in troubles with my girlfriend… you and Sharon met, right?”

Sharon smiled “Yes we did, on your father’s birthday, remember?”

Nicholas said, remembering “Oooh, that's right…”

Catherine asked her “How are you Sharon?”

Sharon grinned and clung to Nicholas’s arm “Right now, absolutely incredible”

Catherine nodded with a smile “I can certainly believe that…” She looked at Nicholas and asked “How does it feel like, getting your freedom back?”

Nicholas answered quietly “Like nothing else in the world. Just being at the ranch again breathing the fresh air or looking out at the meadow, I just never realized how much I’d miss it, or how incredible it would feel to see it all again”

Vicki said with a tearful smile “I think we all feel pretty incredible right now…”

There were a few moments of happy silence, and then Victor looked at Catherine suspiciously and asked, “Why do I get the feeling there’s more to your visit than just seeing Nicholas?”

Nikki narrowed her eyes “Yes, I had this feeling too, out with it Catherine, what is it?”

Catherine set down and helped herself to a piece of the cake “Hmmm, Perfect…Now where were I?”

Nikki impatiently said “The second reason that you’re here”

Catherine shook her head at Nikki with a smile "Such impatience"

Nikki rolled her eyes and moaned "Catherine! Would you stop torturing us, please?"

Catherine looked at the Newman family and asked, “What are you all doing tomorrow?”

That caught everyone off guard, Nikki stammered, looking at Victor and to the kids “Nothing, I think…why?”

Catherine looked around “Does that apply to everyone?”

Victor and the kids exchanged glances, Victor asked “You mean tomorrow night?”

Catherine nodded “Ah ha”

Vicki and Cole looked at each other and Cole said “Oh, I think we’re free”

Victor said “So am I, what is it all about?”

Catherine got up and announced “I want to throw a party!”

Nikki asked with a smile on her lips “A party? A one day notice kind of party? That should be a challenge”

Catherine said “To celebrate Nicholas’s release”

Nick blushed and smiled sheepishly “Gosh Catherine, that’s real nice of you... you don’t have to do that”

Catherine wouldn't’t be deterred “Of course I do... I thought of throwing a party on New years eve, but I knew none of you would be in any mood to celebrate anything, now that you are a free man, Nicholas, I don’t see any reason not to have the party, it would be a belated new year party, and a party for your homecoming”

Nikki said softly, touched “Catherine, you didn’t have to do that... we would have understood”

Catherine snorted “Like I could ever have a worthy party without you there”

Nikki grinned and leaned back on the sofa leisurely “Well, I must admit, I like the idea of a party right now”

Vicki said “Yea, me too... somehow it feels like forever since this family had a chance to dress up and do something fun”

Catherine got up “So, it’s settled then, you’ll all be there?”

Nicholas smiled “Count on it”

Cole said “Wouldn’t miss it for the world”

Victor inquired “So, who is going to be there?”

Catherine said pointedly “Anyone he would accept my invitation on such short notice”

Victor chuckled “Kay, you’re the host, no sane man would even dream of refusing”

Catherine said proudly “Well Victor, I should hope not!”

Nikki asked her “Do you need my help with anything, you only got a day to throw it!”

Catherine said firmly “I think I’m quiet capable of throwing a party on my own, and beside, you’re a guest”

Nikki grinned “Well, if you insist...”

Catherine said “I do. Now, I better be on my way”

Victor said “You don’t have to rush off”

Catherine shook her head “It’s time for you to spend alone as a family, and beside, I have a party to plan”

Nikki got up and hugged her tightly “A family you’ll always be a part of”

Catherine smiled wordlessly at her and then left...

Cole said appreciatively as the door closed “That woman is something else”

Nikki agreed with a nod “She sure is, and a very special friend”

Sharon said excitedly “Wow, a party, that sound like fun”

Victoria said, laughing “I’m sure it will be, Catherine knows how to make things happen”

Nicholas grinned “Plus, I get a chance to show off with my stunning girlfriend”

Sharon blushed “Oh Nicholas, you’re embarrassing me”

Victor looked at his son who was cuddling with Sharon on the couch “So, what are your plans for the rest of the day?”

Nicholas shrugged “I don’t know... just hang around here, maybe jump to the Crimson lights...what about you, aren’t you going to work?”

Victor smiled and said “Possibly later, not right now...”

He looked around the room at his beautiful family “I’m enjoying being here with all of you too much to go to work right now... “

He looked at Nicholas and said with a deep content sigh “It’s so good to have you home my boy, this family just isn’t the same without you”

Nicholas got up toward his father and they hugged and Nicholas said emotionally “It never would have happened without you dad, never”

Victor patted his son’s back and set back down “All that matters that you’re home now”

Nikki added tearfully “With your family...”

Nicholas, trying to cover up on the tears in his eyes said quickly “I want to go for a ride, whose coming with me?”

Vicki teased him “You sure you didn’t forget how Nicholas?”

Nicholas made a superior face “Ha, bet I beat you in a race!”

Victoria said, raising her eye brows “Oh would you?”

Nicholas grinned “You can take it to the bank”

Victoria, never one to resist a challenge said “Well, you got yourself a bet, then”

Cole laughed and looked at Sharon “Well, I’m not going to miss that one for anything in the world...”

Vicki asked, smiling “Why Darling?, You’re used to seeing me win!”

Nicholas shook his head at his sister “You're ego is unbelievable...”

Victoria smirked with a superior expression "I have a healthy sized ego, like all Newmans, isn't it right Dad?"

Victor laughed heartily and shook his head "There is no way I'm answering that one"

Nikki laughed and said "Good answer..."

Nicholas looked at Sharon “By the way, I need to teach you how to ride”

Sharon looked skeptic “Oh Nicholas, I don’t know...”

Nikki couldn’t help but smile, seeing the expression on her face and said “Don’t worry Sharon, if *I* learned how to ride, anyone can, and it’s a lot of fun...”

She sighed yearningly “Too bad we can’t come with you just yet”

Nicholas asked with concern “Is your hand okay, mom?”

Nikki replied “Yea honey, it’s a lot better, but just not up for that ride...”

Victor smiled “And as much as I hate to admit it, It will be a few more days for me too...”

Nikki glared at him “A few days? I’m not sure your doctor would approve”

Victor chuckled “I’m sure he won’t, that’s why I won’t be asking”

Victoria said, her eyes sparking “Mom is right, let your ribs rest dad, you can show us all how it’s really done later...”

Victor said firmly “You bet...”

Nicholas said, getting up on his feet “We’re off then...”

Nikki said worriedly “Now be careful Nicholas, you haven’t gone riding in a long time”

Nicholas said casually “I won’t...”

The Door slammed behind them and Victor and Nikki were left alone.

Victor shook his head in awe “We have a beautiful family don’t we?”

Nikki got up and came to sit next to him, snuggling against him “We have a happy family, that’s for sure...”

Victor said passionately “I love seeing Nicholas and Victoria bicker and laugh, I feel reassured knowing that they are close and can confide in each other...”

Nikki nodded “Me too, sometimes their life can get so complicated, it’s nice to know they have each other”

They both smiled at each other and Victor looked deeply into her eyes and sent a hand to brush a loose wisp of hair of her face “We hardly had one moment alone ever since this morning...”

Nikki moaned “Oh, I know, I know...”

Victor asked with a slight smile “Did you miss it?”

Nikki groaned “Being alone with you? I felt like dragging you to the most remote corner of the ranch just so I could have a moment alone with you... I got used to it, us spending a lot of time together... “

Victor said softly "Once we tell the children the truth, you could have all the time in the world with me..."

Nikki smiled and stated "You us want to tell them"

Victor said "Well, I don't see any reason to hold back, do you?"

Nikki shook her head and said excitedly "No, not at all! Nicholas is home, that's all I've been waiting for...but..."|

Victor asked her "But what?

Nikki let out a heavy breath “Oh boy... I don’t know...doesn’t it make you even a little nervous?”

Victor nodded “It does, but it also makes me very happy, telling our kids that we’re in love and want to remarry, they have been waiting a long time for this, WE....have been waiting a long time for this”

Nikki smiled tearfully into his eyes “We’re back together, Nicholas is home again...I don’t think I could ever ask for anything ever again, I love you...”

Victor whispered to her “I love you too...”

He put his hand over the back of her neck and pulled her closer to a long, exploring, passionate kiss...

Suddenly Nikki broke the contact between their lips and said excitedly “I know, how about tomorrow at the party??”

Seeing the expression on Victor’s face she giggled and gave him a little kiss on the lips “Sorry...So, what do you think?”

Victor thought about it for a moment and then said “But we won’t be the only one there, it would be on the gossip columns the next morning...”

Nikki asked him “Do you mind?”

Victor replied "I couldn't care less about that, I think I might even like it, but I rather it’s just be us when we tell the children...how about tomorrow before the party, right before we go?”

Nikki nodded “You’re right, it’s better this way...plus...” Her voice faltered “Brad will probably also be there, I wouldn’t feel comfortable announce the news at the party if he is also there, and I want the kids to be the first to know...and you’re right, we should do it in privet”

Victor said, sighing happily “Tomorrow then...”

He looked at Nikki “What do you think they are going to say?”

Nikki shook her head slowly “I... I don’t know... I think they will be shocked, happy, and delighted...”

Victor smiled and commented “Victoria is going to be upset that we didn’t tell her sooner”

Nikki said reassuringly “I think that as long as she hears it from us, she will handle it, she’s been waiting for this for a long time Victor, I don’t think she will care about WHEN we told her once we do...”

Victor said, “I’m sure you’re right...Ahhh... come over here”

He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her in between his arms, he wrapped them around her body and Nikki leaned against his chest and said with a sigh, closing her eyes “I don’t know how I’m going to spend the next night without you here”

Victor smiled and kissed her head “You’ll manage...just think of tomorrow, there will be no more secrets, we could finally reunite our family....”

Nikki titled her head and looked up at him, running her fingers along his hands, which were wrapped around her tightly “Do you... plan to move back in right away after we tell them?”

Victor told her “That’s your call, it would be a while before we can remarry, there hasn’t even been a hearing for my divorce from Hope, I don’t know when that is scheduled to...”

Nikki nodded “Yes, I know that, but it would feel awkward for me to just spend nights at your apartment... the children are grown, I’m sure they can deal with the fact their parents are living together without a marriage, couples do that all the time”

Victor said “That’s true...But do you mind the wait?”

Nikki asked “Until we can remarry?” She shrugged “Not really...”

She smiled at him, thinking back “I told you this the first time we made love, all I want is you, and I don’t care about everything else, that hasn’t changed”

Victor looked at her and was almost overcome with realization of just how much he loved her, her directness and vulnerability, and the way she gave him her heart.

He said "I said a few things to you that night, I made a few promises to myself, I have to say I've failed miserably in keeping them all"

Nikki grinned "Hmmm, lets see, you did end up marrying me even though you said you probably wouldn't..." She turned her head to him and giggled "You definitely stopped setting me up with other man though"

Victor said a wry smile"You made me promise I wouldn't, I should have reminded you of that promise on a few occasions"

Nikki elbowed him gently and said with mock arrogance "It wouldn't have helped you at all, as I recall, you made me promise you something in return"

Victor narrowed his eyes "I don't recall making you promise me anything"

Nikki, still leaning on his chest quoted him with a smile "You said, that if I ever found a man that I want, all I need to do is to tell you so"

She smirked "That didn't seem to have done a lot of good over the years"

Victor protested good naturally "Now That's not fair, those were totally different circumstances, I didn't know that we will remarry when we had this talk, I didn't know we would have two children....and..." He gave a short chuckle, the memory of the scene coming back to him"You said it was an easy promise"

Nikki  reminiscedwith a smile, shaking her head "I rememnber...God, we had no idea where life would take us, did we?"

Victor shook his head "I know I had *no* idea how deeply I'm going to fall in love with you, or how hard it would be for me to ever let you go..."

Nikki smiled at him tearfully "We both had that problem"

Victor captured her chin in his hand and said "Lets not talk about the past anymore, what matters is where we are right now, and that's here, at the ranch, the place we have spent our happiest times - in each other arms..."

Nikki's eyes closed as he leaned down to kiss her, ad wrapped her arms around his neck. They kissed longingly, dreaming of what tomorrow will bring them, and to the Newman family...