Beginnings

Author: Lambertoise

Email:  jmlsi@sympatico.ca

Rating: PG (language)

Summary: Nick & Lulu discover the working parents’ life. 

Author's Disclaimer: This story has no link with my previous fic.  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of a character in this story to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. Of course, the main characters are borrowed from The Guardian

My special thanks to Sarah. The help was wonderful and inspiring; the mistakes 
are mine only

Warning!!! Nick and Lulu fix: HIGH. 

*****


Boothbay Harbour, Maine – Friday evening 

"Shush now. Daddy’s here. Sleep, sweetie."

Nick was cradling the baby who’d just made her little burp of satisfaction; she 
was already sleeping on her father’s shoulder. It was a warm but rainy day. Nick 
decided to take her outside, to get a little fresh air. He took her onto the 
porch and sat on the comfortable blue Adirondack chair. Lulu was inside, trying 
to sleep and take back some of the many hours the baby stole every night. 

They found this cottage in Boothbay Harbour, on the east coast. It belonged to 
Lulu’s friend Kate, a long time vacationer in the area where she had owned this 
cottage for years since an old uncle from her mother’s side had died. Kate had 
offered them her home when she learned of their plans to get away. 

The offer was so good that a trip of “just a couple days” turned into a couple 
weeks… and even now, they weren’t certain they were ready to go back. 

They liked it there. It was calm, the pines around were giving a nice smell 
everywhere, and at night they could see the light from the lighthouse on Burnt 
Island. During their stay, they’ve enjoyed the walks on the beach, the 
tranquility of the village; one day, they even made a tour on the island where 
the lighthouse and the buildings have been restored to the 1950 period. Nick had 
brought his laptop and his cell, of course, and did some work. But most of the 
time, they were just there, reading, talking and taking care of the baby. If 
Lulu was now more used to little Leanne, Nick was discovering something new 
everyday. 

Smelling his baby, Nick couldn’t believe how these little 12 pounds of skin and 
life were so gratifying. Oh sure, he had felt crushed when Lulu had told him the 
baby had Down’s syndrome; but now, at three months old, it didn’t seem to make 
any difference – at least not to them. Their baby girl looked healthy; slept and 
ate well, and even started to smile at her father. Lulu had told him that these 
first smiles were just reflex, but Nick knew better, and appreciated the simple 
gesture for what it was. 

Since the day she was born, Nick was astonished to discover how overwhelmed he 
was by the mere existence of his child. Sometimes, he wondered if his father had 
ever felt the same. I’ll have to ask him, one day, he thought, caressing his 
daughter’s fluffy blond hair. The baby stirred a little, but kept sleeping as 
Nick walked back inside. Her little heart was pumping fast against his chest and 
Nick took care not to move too briskly, hoping to not wake her up. Placing a 
gentle kiss on her forehead, he put her back in her bed and then went to see if 
Lulu was sleeping too. 


"Hey", she said softly, having heard the soft shuffle of Nick’s feet as he 
approached. Her eyes were barely opened, her body more tired than she had 
realized, or was willing to admit. Even so, it was the least of her concerns. 
"How is she?" she asked. 

"She’s sleeping," Nick answered as he came into the bedroom. He sat beside her 
on the bed, caressing her cheek.

"Lie down with me,” Lulu patted the mattress and flashed an inviting smile. She 
moved herself over a bit on the bed, giving Nick some room, “I feel such like an 
idiot to take a nap you need just as much as I do."

"Why? You didn’t sleep well, so you have to get some rest. And I’m not the one 
nursing the baby", he added with a smile. 

Nick slid into bed beside her. When she had decided to nurse the baby, Lulu was 
afraid that Nick would object since he had expressed clearly his negative 
opinion about full time mothers. But that was in another time, when she was 
planning that kind of life with Brian, not with him. Now she could see just how 
smitten Nick was with their daughter and everything about her. That didn’t 
really surprise her because she had believed him when he had told her about his 
desire to become a father despite the child’s handicap. But never would she have 
thought that he would become so enamoured with everything concerning her 
maternity, including her fat body…
*****


The night he came back from his bachelor party with Alvin, nearly five months 
before, she had been so happy to see him. Her shyness and flinching 
self-confidence almost broke the magic when he had asked to stay the night. She 
felt so big and ugly that she immediately thought of some excuses so he wouldn’t 
see her like this. Since he had been with Suzanne, all Lulu could think was that 
it was because he no longer wanted her, he no longer found her appealing and the 
changes of pregnancy didn’t help. But she had missed him and he had been so good 
to her these last weeks that she agreed – hoping for the best. 

Nick has always been a great lover, but that night, she felt so loved that she 
wept. He made love to her with great care and passion, careful not to hurt her 
swollen belly. Their bodies almost didn’t touch, but at the same time, she never 
felt closer to him. 

"Lulu," he had murmured softly, lying there beside her, "I love you, you know 
that, don’t you?" 

"Sometimes… I believe you, when you are with me, like tonight. But when you are 
away, I’m never sure…” Lulu stopped a moment. “And now that I look like a whale, 
it doesn’t help my confidence much,” she had added with a sad smile.

"Oh, Lulu! You’ve never been more beautiful," Nick answered, kissing her belly, 
her darker nipples, her fuller breasts, again and again – relishing every bit of 
the body and changes he thought he’d lost the right to enjoy. 

In saying that, he was really sincere. He had missed her, and being with her 
like this. And it amazed him because he has been usually attracted by skinny 
women, model type, not the mummy ones – with curves. Even during their time 
apart, he was completely seduced by Lulu’s pregnant body. Each time he saw her 
at work, he had to stop himself from touching her belly like so many strangers 
who felt free to do. Nick hadn’t given himself this permission. 

"I hate myself for having spoiled my chances to live this pregnancy with you," 
Nick said softly, looking at her as he traced his fingers against the curve of 
her belly. 

Breathing deeply, Lulu hadn’t answered, but instead thought about what Nick had 
said. He seemed truly sorry, and genuine about what he felt. For the moment, 
silence and his steady gaze were all she could handle. 

At once, Nick had thought that he had made a mistake saying that, but he knew it 
was the truth. His affair with Spell has been such a stupid thing! And it had 
hurt so many people around him. 

Just as he was about to turn away, Lulu reached out and kissed him passionately. 
For the first time, he felt like she was truly forgiving him and he was 
grateful. Nick held her close for the rest of the night. 

The day after, she had asked him if they should try, once again, to live 
together. Nick knew she was hesitant, and honestly, so was he – knowing how 
easily it could all change, and fall apart. It wouldn’t be easy, but for now 
they had to put their doubts aside, and look to the future. 

Because their story together hadn’t been a success the first time, they were 
careful not to hurt the other one: Nick was listening and very present to 
everything she was feeling; on the other hand, Lulu was able to stop herself 
from being scared every time Nick was late. She started to trust him again and 
to let him know. Intimacy is a slow process and they were learning together to 
open up bit by bit. But the baby linked them together strongly both because of 
her handicap and her simple venue. They wanted to make sure their child would 
have all the love and attention she would need. In spite of any problems they 
themselves might have, they wouldn’t let their child suffer as a result. She 
needed them, and in truth, they had needed each other as much as they both 
needed to be with her. 
****
By now, the vacation was over due. They both were tired with the new exigencies 
the baby’s needs brought even if the happiness they got from her was very deep. 
Lulu was supposed to go back to work the week after they returned and during 
these two weeks in Boothbay Harbour; she had started, reluctantly, to wean the 
baby.

Outside the cottage, it had stopped raining. The air was fresher than ever. Fall 
was coming fast and most of the summer residents have left, back to their city 
life.

"How do you feel about going back to work?" Nick asked as he gently stroked her 
arm, their bodies close as they lied there together on the bed. 

"I guess I’m anxious to go back but in the same time, it seems so early! And she 
is still so small," Lulu answered with a sigh, "anyway; it will be just the 
mornings in the beginning, so maybe it will not be so hard, after all!" 

Nick, too, was due back to his office. While his father seemed to understand the 
need for the trip, he was reluctant to let his son go but he managed to respect 
their time away. The last time his father had called, he had seemed a little 
tired. Nick thought he should slow down but Burton was of a different 
generation, one of males who seemed alive only at work. 

The next morning, Nick started to pack their bags while Lulu was dozing with the 
baby. Seeing them asleep, peaceful and quiet, he was wondering if they could 
keep their new found easiness together once they would be back at home.

Before leaving, they went for a last walk with the baby, enjoying one more time 
the calm and the beauty of the scenery – and the closeness that had been renewed 
between them. They knew that once they were back, their hectic life would take 
over and moments like this would be infrequent at best. 



*******


Ridgelawn Cemetery, Pittsburgh

In Pittsburgh, the trees were changing colors. Fall was already setting in, like 
a signal to end the summer carefree life.

In the cemetery, a life was also coming to an end. The ceremony was over and 
people were saying their goodbyes. The rain had stopped and ironically, the sun 
was coming out the clouds as if the sadness was supposed to be over. The 
mourners didn’t see it though. Two of them were staying right beside the coffin, 
without speaking or looking at each other. Obviously, they weren’t waiting for 
any comfort from each other. They finally went back to their cars, leaving a 
part of their life behind. 

For those who are left behind, this is the painful beginning of their life 
without their loved one.
*****


LSP, Monday morning one week later

Was it a mistake to come back so soon? Or was the detachment she was feeling 
coming from her long absence? Lulu was overwhelmed by the difficulty of 
everything and found herself wondering if would she ever be able to recover her 
confidence in her abilities to manage the clinic. 

"It had started so nicely though," she thought to herself, after the unexpected 
breakfast the staff had prepared for her welcome back party, “How come two hours 
later I feel like I don’t belong?” 

With her nerves getting the better of her, she had called home twice already, to 
make sure everything was alright. Lulu couldn’t help but worry. The nanny they 
had hired was at home with her the whole week before in order to get used to the 
baby’s routine and to give the little one some time for her to feel secure in 
her arms. Over the last week, Lulu had begun to understand why moms all over the 
world chose to stay home even with all their degrees! And she hadn’t started yet 
to live the double shift, professional and maternal…!

As she looked around the office, Lulu couldn’t help but second guess her 
decision to return to the job she had once loved. She missed the baby, she 
missed being at home. Lulu needed something to do, to get her mind on something 
else. 

"Lulu! Line one", the new secretary said as Lulu passed her in the bullpen. 

Lulu went back to her office to take the call:

"Lulu, it’s Laurie. I have a very tough case for you. I know you don’t work in 
the afternoon, but I need to see you quickly."

"Sure. When?" 

"Is noon alright for you?"

"Yes. See you then." She thought to call the nanny, to let her know that plans 
had changed. It was her first day back, and she was already feeling guilty about 
not being able to get home to her waiting baby as soon as she hoped. “And so it 
begins,” Lulu said sadly to herself, “already.” 

--+--

Fallin & Fallin Offices

After his client left, Nick went to Jake’s office. He stayed in the door, not 
quite sure what he’d say, or what he’d be able to. At a time like this, Nick 
knew there were no right words. 

Following an awkward silence, Nick came forward:

"Jake, I was sorry to hear about your mother. And I wish I could’ve been there 
for the funeral. I didn’t know she was sick…."

"Nobody knew, except her doctor. And she made him promise not to tell anybody. 
She refused the treatments, so the cancer won easily."

"I’m sorry to hear that,” Nick returned quietly as his long repressed memories 
of his own mother’s fight came quickly to mind. Try as he might, Nick knew he 
wasn’t very good at this, his mother’s death still an unresolved issue for him. 

"Well… My father leaving her was probably the final blow; when he … you know, 
she just gave up…" Jake revealed as he stared blankly out the window. "I’m still 
so mad at him", he added angrily.

"Yeah…. Nothing more could be said. His head tipped forward, and having said his 
peace, Nick turned back to the door, “well, my condolences." 

Jake looked at him and nodded, turning back to the window.
 
Once he got back inside his office, Nick called Lulu while Gretchen was 
signalling him that his other client has just arrived. They could wait, just a 
minute more, he reasoned. 

"How are you doing?" he asked. 

"Not very good. It seems like I don’t know anymore how to get the work done. 
Everything is so messy! "

Nick smiled. Her messiness was the subject of many remarks, as was his tidiness.

"When are you going back home?" he knew that she was determined to get back at a 
reasonable hour.

"Laurie called to say that she would come by at 12, so I guess I’ll leave right 
after," Lulu answered, her tone indicating her disappointment. 

"Good. I’ll see you tonight. I’ll try to be home not too late."

"Nick…" 

"What?"

"I love you," she said and she cut the line before he had time to say something 
in return. 


--+--

Nick and Lulu’s house

Feeding the baby with her last bottle for the night, Lulu was sitting with Nick 
on the couch, telling him about her day. She was completely worn-out and 
couldn’t figure out how she would be able to wake up the morning after.

"Don’t worry," Nick encouraged her with a smile, “you’ll be your usual efficient 
self in a few days."

"I find it hard to believe," she sighed, “Laurie came to see me today. And she 
asked me to take this case. But I don’t think I’ll be able to put my mind to 
it…” 

"What is it about?" Nick asked, still interested in LSP’S cases, even if his 
community service was now completed.

"Jamie. A young boy. Sixteen. He killed his father. His mother claimed that her 
husband was a violent man who used to beat her and that her son did that to save 
her life,” Lulu explained, “but his father was a policeman. And the DA’s office 
apparently wants to ask for the death penalty. So it means that, first, they’ll 
ask for the transfer in the adult system…”

“But there haven’t been any juvenile on death row for years now!” Nick 
challenged, finding himself being more engaged than he cared to be. 

"Laurie thinks it’s part of the problem. According to her, the DA wants to use 
this case involving a policeman to stop the political wave against the death 
penalty. So… I thought…Maybe you could take the case?” Lulu asked hesitantly, 
without looking at him – already anticipating a less than enthusiastic reply.

"Lulu, my community service is over. I gave all I had to give. My penalty is 
over too!" he snapped, sounding as if he were really irritated by the 
suggestion.

"Okay…” she returned defensively, not thinking he’d react so harshly. “I just 
thought that you were still interested with these kids…” Then she added, on a 
softer tone: “would you just think about it?"

"I’m not a criminal lawyer, I’m a corporate lawyer, Lulu. That’s what I do 
best," he said tersely, standing up and walking away. 

That night, Nick didn’t sleep well. He thought about his reaction and told 
himself he should try to find a way to help Lulu without getting involved 
directly. The next morning, when he kissed Lulu goodbye, Nick told her:

"About Jamie …I’ll try to think of something."

Lulu waved him goodbye, feeling a bit better.


--+--

Youth Study Center

When she walked in, Jamie was sitting there, oblivious; it seemed, to everything 
and everyone around him. He looked frail, his long black hair hiding his face. 
Lulu was trying to learn more about him and about the murder, but the boy 
wouldn’t talk – not to her or anyone else. Laurie had explained to her that the 
boy had acted very violently the day he was arrested, but since then, he hadn’t 
said a word. He did everything he was asked to but speaking was the only thing 
he had refused. 

Despite his silence, Lulu tried explaining to him what the DA’s office wanted to 
do, that it was serious and that he should cooperate with her, because she was 
there for him, not for the police. Hearing that, the boy raised his head, looked 
at her, with doubt all over his face, and bent his head again. 

Leaving the detention center after the fruitless meeting with Jamie, Lulu 
thought that maybe she shouldn’t take the case. 


--+--

Nick & Lulu’s house

Back home, she held her baby tight in hers arms and enjoyed her afternoon with 
her. Being the person she was, Lulu had started early to educate herself on Down 
syndrome children. And after reading about a method aimed to enhance all the 
child’s abilities, she began to include in their daily routine what she’s 
learned to stimulate Leanne’s development. The baby always seemed to respond 
happily to these exercises. At three months, she wasn’t so different of other 
babies except of course, for her face. 

After she put Leanne in her bed, Lulu’s thoughts went back to Jamie. She knew 
that she should try to find somebody to help her. That was too big for just one 
person, even full time employed. Maybe some specialist could be interested in 
the case? The money would be a problem though. She had to find a way.
*****


"We are here, in the kitchen," Lulu said when she heard Nick coming back from 
work, later that night.

"I think I have an idea. What would you think of having some expert with you?" 
Nick asked as he came in and kissed his daughter.

"I thought about that, but I’m sure the clinic can’t afford one more lawyer," 
Lulu answered, giving Nick a kiss and the baby so he could change her diaper 
while she finished getting dinner ready. 

Changing the diapers was the only part that didn’t agree very well with chic 
Nick. He sometimes thought that Lulu was testing him, in a way. But she did it 
herself most of the time, just as she handled most of the other parenting 
duties, so he couldn’t really complain. 

“Well, I made a few phone calls and I read some stuff about this young attorney 
from University of Chicago. Her name is Emma Duvall. She is now with a coalition 
against death penalty and she specializes with young offenders accused of 
homicide. I called her and she is interested in meeting you about your case”. 

In fact, Nick has spent his lunch hour trying to find the most recent legal 
developments about young offenders and death penalty. A lot was going on in the 
country and Emma Duvall’s name was cited by many as one of the most efficient 
attorney in this matter. 

"That’s really nice of you, Nick" Lulu replied, rather surprised by his 
initiative. "I thought you were mad at me", she added hesitantly. 

"I was not… Not really. Maybe I’m afraid I’ll be tied up with LSP forever," he 
explained.

"I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just…you are a very good lawyer, Nick, and you 
did such good work at LSP. I’m sure you could be good with anything in the law…"

"This lady, Emma Duvall, she is going to call you tomorrow," Nick added with a 
smile, pleased with her compliments.

"But how are we going to pay her?" Lulu asked, knowing all too well the fragile 
financial state that LSP often found itself in.

"I thought that she could be interested in working with the firm while helping 
you pro bono." 

"Will your father agree?" 

"We’ll see…”
 
--+--
 
Fallin & Fallin, Wednesday morning

The morning after, Nick arrived at his office a little later than usual. Lulu 
had an early appointment with her physician for a check up, so he had stayed 
with the baby until the nanny arrived. 

"Nick! " Gretchen called after him, "your father wants to see you as soon as 
possible!” 

Nick took the stack of paper messages and thanked her, heading directly toward 
his father’s office.

"Close the door, son," Burton instructed as he saw Nick, motioning him inside. 
"What does that mean?" he demanded angrily, brandishing the newspaper.

"What are you talking about? " Nick glanced at the paper, confused. He hadn’t 
yet gotten a chance to read the morning news. 

"I’m talking about this crap about the firm becoming involved against death 
penalty!" his father stammered, “what the hell is this?” 

Nick took the newspaper and quickly scanned the front page devoted to Mrs. 
Duvall’s new crusade with the help of a prestigious law firm, Fallin & Fallin. 

"People are already calling in to ask about it; the clients are mad and the 
reporters want a press conference today,” continued Burton, “care to fill me 
in?”

"Well, I wanted to talk about it with you this morning but I guess Mrs. Duvall 
had already made up her mind…" Nick returned, not happy at all with her 
initiative.

"Now you cancel everything, starting with this Emma troublemaker," Burton 
retorted.

"I agree with you, this publicity is too early. But you must admit that the case 
is interesting?" 

"What? You’re telling me you agree with this war against the death penalty? That 
it should be abolished? Well, let me tell you, son, the clients won’t go with 
you on this issue. That’s not the kind of clients we have," Burton riposted 
angrily, “you don’t know what a mess you’re makin’!”

"That’s where your clients stand on this issue? Well, I’m not sure mine think 
the same way. Anyway, it’s not of their business," Nick replied.

"I don’t want to wait for them to vote with their feet and walk away. I 
definitely don’t want my firm associated with this kind of crusade," Burton 
added, his cool blue eyes filled with rage.

"Your firm?” Nick repeated tersely, “isn’t it also mine?" 

"It could be if you were more reliable,” Burton mumbled under his breath before 
going back to his papers, without bothering with another glance or word to Nick.

Shocked and hurt by his father, Nick walked out and slammed the door hard behind 
him. He was mad at the lawyer, this Emma Duvall. She could have easily waited a 
day or so before making all this publicity. But he was even angrier at his 
father for being so stubborn and most of all, for mistrusting his judgment. 

Even if the year before he wasn’t very much in favour of bringing a criminal 
lawyer in the firm, - well, to be honest, he hated this Clay - he knew the 
really important firms did touch criminal and corporate law. Jamie’s case was 
interesting, on many levels, even if he himself didn’t want to take it. And even 
if he didn’t like Clay very much, Nick was at least able to recognize his 
abilities.

Nick wished that his father could trust is judgement, for once. 
******


After Nick stormed out, Burton stood up and walked slowly around his office. His 
head was throbbing and a drink would have been much appreciated. But it was only 
9:00, and Burton knew better! His phone rang and he reluctantly took the call. 
Listening to Gretchen tell him about this other reporter who wanted to discuss 
this new development in the most talked about murder case in town, he got 
impatient and slammed the phone down in anger. He tried to calm himself, and 
took several deep breaths, but suddenly; his head hurt very badly. 

Barely able to make it toward his desk, he called Gretchen back. "Could you 
bring me some Tylenol, please?" he asked. Damn, his head hurt really bad. He set 
the phone down and pinched his eyes shut, desperately wanting the pain to stop. 

Coming in, Gretchen had just the time to see Burton collapsing to the floor. 
 
--+--

The Incline – noon

Lulu was having an early lunch with Emma Duvall. She was a tall red hair, in her 
late twenties. Lulu found her a little abrasive but was ready to admit that she 
seemed to know a lot about criminal law. Her expertise would be precious, both 
at F&F and LSP.

They were discussing Jamie’s situation when a man approached their table. 

"Aren’t you Emma Duvall?" he asked, not caring at all to interrupt their ongoing 
conversation.

"Yes, I am," Emma answered, obviously pleased to be already recognized in a city 
where she was setting foot for the first time.

"I’m with the Pittsburgh Daily. I saw your picture this morning. So, it’s 
official, you’re taking the case with the help of Fallin & Fallin?"

"I’m seriously thinking about it. The case could be another step forward for 
this country," Emma answered, without bothering to check with Lulu but looking 
happy to make a statement.

Lulu, who hadn’t seen the morning newspaper, was a bit dismayed by the fact that 
the news was out before they even met. She promised herself, if they were to 
work together, that some basic rules would be made clear… She might just be 
getting back to work, but she wasn’t going to be walked over. This was about the 
fate of a young boy and shouldn’t be turned in a media circus. 


--+--

Allegheny General Hospital, Wednesday night

Nick was sitting beside his father’s bed. The guilt he felt was terrible. When 
he had called Lulu to tell her about Burton, he hadn’t told her about their 
conversation. Lulu had asked what happened, but he remained vague and insisted 
she stay home with the baby. Watching his father in the hospital bed, with all 
the monitors around, he felt like if he had put his father KO with his own 
fists.

Warily, Burton opened his eyes, even the room’s dim lights seemed to sting. The 
stroke had left his left side paralysed but the doctor had told Nick that he 
should eventually recover. 

"Hey. How do you feel?" Nick asked eagerly, relieved that his father had woken 
up in his presence.

"Bad," Burton grumbled, and Nick had to come closer to hear his father. 

"The paralysis should diminish within a few days,” he told his father, unaware 
of what the doctors may have told him; “the stroke was probably caused by your 
high blood pressure."

Burton tried to say something but gave up. Nick gave him some water but he could 
see that his father didn’t like to feel so dependant. He wouldn’t push the old 
man any further, not in his fragile state. He didn’t want the day to end as 
badly as it began. 

"I let you sleep but I’ll come back tomorrow morning. Good night," Nick said and 
after a slight hesitation, he walked out of the room.


--+--

Nick & Lulu’s house, 3:00 am

Having just fallen asleep, Nick was easily awakened by the baby’s wailing. He 
felt Lulu stir beside him, ready to get up. He knew his mind wouldn’t let him 
really rest that he should just get up. He told her to stay in bed. Nick warily 
made his way out of the bedroom and down the hall, finding the baby wide awake 
and hungry. 

Hoping not to wake Lulu again, he went downstairs with his daughter to heat her 
milk and give it to her. While she was sucking her bottle, Nick’s mind went back 
to his father. He felt responsible for his stroke even if he rationally knew 
that Burton’s smoking and drinking were far more responsible for his condition. 
Should he cancel his project about Jamie’s case? Or should he try to explain 
more explicitly to his father why he felt compelled to get involved? 

A few years ago, the thought would have never come to his mind. But LSP and Lulu 
had changed him. He had seen the other side of the medal, the loser’s side, the 
weakest’s lot. He was no longer able to do his job the same way his father was 
doing it, without feelings. Yet, he guessed that his father perceived this 
intimate change like a betrayal of everything he had taught him. 

For the first time in quite a while, that night, Nick missed the dullness 
alcohol and drugs could have brought. Even so, going back to that would be a 
stupid choice, Nick decided as he stared down at his baby girl, remembering all 
too well what it nearly cost him a few months before. He lost months with Lulu 
and their baby as a result of his affair; was he willing to lose his father over 
a case? 

Maybe this time, for his father’s sake, he should renounce his idea and wait for 
another occasion. Would it be worth it? There was no way Nick could be certain, 
no matter how much faith he put in Ms. Duvall’s defense talents or Lulu’s legal 
abilities. There were no guarantees. 

A lot would be riding on this case; the firm, clients, career. It was a risk, 
one that didn’t have to be taken. Perhaps it would’ve been better if he just 
went against his instinct, and took the damned case himself. 

Once her bottle finished, little Emma was fast asleep again. Raising his head, 
he saw Lulu leaning against the wall, watching him. She came to him and caressed 
his face and said : 

"You’re going to work that out, Nick, and your father will be alright. His will 
is strong enough," she said, taking back the baby. " Let’s go back to sleep now, 
we’ll see tomorrow."


--+--

Allegheny General Hospital, Thursday morning

"Thank you, nurse," Burton cleared his throat, his mouth still a bit dry, 
“that’ll be it…” 

Nick heard his father from the corridor. He breathed deeply, unbelievably 
relieved – he wasn’t sure what state he’d find him in that morning. When he 
entered the room, he saw his father sitting in his bed with the newspaper. 
Worried that Jamie’s story would upset him again, he watched his father closely.

"Good morning, Nicholas. I feel much better this morning,” Burton began, trying 
to initiate some type of conversation. 

"I’m happy to see that," Nick answered, clearly reassured by his father’s stable 
voice. He pulled up a chair to his father’s bedside, and sat down.

“About Mrs Duvall, Dad, I want to tell you...” Nick looked up nervously, 
checking his father’s face for reaction. 

"Listen, son," Burton interrupted, "about yesterday… " he stopped himself and 
looked at his son, "Yesterday, I thought I was dying suddenly. And my last words 
have been to yell at you. I could have died leaving you with that… " Burton 
stopped again, unable to continue. 

"It’s OK, dad, I shouldn’t have…" Nick started to say. 

"No, it’s not OK. I got angry and …” Burton didn’t know how to explain himself. 
"Actually," he said after a silence, "you’re going forward, you’re the one with 
a vision of what the future could be while I’m stuck in the past."

Burton looked down at his hands then back up at Nick who wasn’t sure he 
understood what his father was saying.

"What I mean," Burton began again, "it’s that … I should rather congratulate you 
for being able to blend your principles and the business. These principles could 
drown you but ... they could also save you …"

Burton stopped and took Nick’s hand in his. After a moment, Nick looked at his 
father and simply said, "thank you."
 
 
 
THE END