Episode Twelve

I never got that "chat" with Silver. I like to think that Nani and I have both put our mistakes behind us. We still have our quarrels, but with Toby demanding so much of our time, we tend to just let them pass. 

I have noticed that Nani has been wanting to spend more time with Toby. I told her that tomorrow she could feed him, if it meant so much to her. She was in rare form this morning. Something must be bothering her.

I tried asking her what was wrong but, as usual, she put me off. Then she said something about getting out for good. I thought she was talking about her career in acting but I wasn't sure. Sometimes, I wished I could force her to talk to me.

Before she left, she gave Toby a quick kiss then handed him to me. She seemed to be in such a good mood compared to earlier. Looking back, I wished I had kissed her one more time.

We had settled into a routine since Toby was born. She heads out to work in the morning, either running errands for Lizzy or working with Clay on some project.

Then around 2pm, she'll come home and take over watching Toby while I do paperwork at the local department or take on a case.

I have been working with Toby on his potty training. He is doing really well for his age. I think he is smarter than most kids, but maybe all parents feel that way.

Some moments it just hits me that I am married with a kid. I mean, not too long ago I was hitting the clubs every night and falling into bed, completely drunk. Now here I am, making sure the laundry is folded and Toby has a clean diaper.

But I am content with my life for the moment. I like having Toby settled next to me in my office while I check in with T.

I still feel the pull of the drink.

But my love for Toby is enough to keep me strong.

Toby was playing with that creepy doll one of Nani's obscure relatives sent him when I opened up the email from Sean. He wanted to meet today at 4pm. I hated meeting with him. He always rubbed me the wrong way.

I also had a few updates from T. Fel's new job as a stylist has given her the freedom to bring little Erik to school each morning. He is still being bullied by Mike on the bus.

Kels and Dina have settled into married life.... for the most part. 

L is still working on winning Bina over. Bets are on that she bolts right after the kid is born.

The high school seniors are graduating today. Michael has asked Horsey to marry him. I figured they had been going steady for so long, marriage was inevitable. 

I scooped up Toby and laid him down for a nap. As I was checking the mail, I realized it was after 3pm already. Nani was late so I decided to call a sitter so I wouldn't miss my appointment with Sean. 

The girl the agency sent over was not what I was expecting. But after I talked with her, I realized she knew a thing or two about kids. I changed clothes, kissed Toby, then headed out.

My meeting with Sean went as expected. I insulted him, he yelled at me, then we got down to talking about why he wanted to meet.

He was rambling on about needing me to do an interview exclusive about the whole Project X and my understanding of it. I wasn't really paying attention when I heard my phone go off. A text from Twallan? Great, I needed a distraction.

What was Nani doing at the abandoned warehouse? That is where the underbelly of Harmony hangs out!

I decided to try her cell. Sean was complaining that both he and Debbie were only trying to inform our public. Damn! Nani wasn't answering her phone. I turned abruptly and left Sean blathering on about civic duty.

I stood outside Silver's house trying to decide which approach to take. I needed to know if he was still pulling Nani's strings ... and if they were still having an affair! 

I decided to try the understanding route. He said he couldn't tell me anymore about Project X, only that as of now, Nani was no longer involved.

When I asked for a straight answer about the affair, he couldn't look me in the eye! He said it wasn't what it seemed but that he was sorry things had to end. Still more confused than ever, I rang up my buddy Mark.

He agreed to meet me at Moe's Diner. We tried to keep things casual as people we both knew kept showing up and wanting to chat.

He collaborated what Sean had said. That Silver had indeed been picking Nani up and dropping her off at the warehouse. But why?

Mark whispered that T was the heart of Project X. He refused to say anymore because he had a family to think of. I understood now what it means to have to think beyond yourself. I casually walked into the diner while he grabbed a taxi and left.  

I have never met Twallan. I have only spoken to him through text and emails. And if he is the center of this Project X that keeps interfering with my life, then I thought we needed to meet. I asked him to meet me at the theater.

Not surprising, he never showed. I was beginning to think that these updates he sent me weren't as great as they used to be. As I walked out, I noticed Chloe was performing. Weird how she would be outside right as I left.

I awkwardly approached her. She seemed just as nervous as I. She offered congratulations for Toby's birth.

We spent a moment talking about what was new in our lives. She asked how Nani was doing. I didn't bring up what was going on. I didn't want any shadows to fall on sweet Chloe. We said our goodbyes and I walked to the local PD in a daze.

I was in the old file room looking for anything on T when he sent me a text. It was just another image...

NANI!

My heart was pounding! Something had happened to Nani. Was T responsible or was he the one trying to stop it? Right now, that didn't matter. All I could think about was getting to Nani.

No, no, no, no....

...

NOOOOOOO!

Oh, Nani. What did they do to you?

(soft crying)

 ....