What is Love?

Chapter 8

"You need to leave, Lydia needs her rest," Nik stated. "What about Jessica? Hm? She came here to wish her well, just for her to be treated the way she was! Despicable. Lydia won't be forgiven for this Uncle Nik. Mark my words," Ethan yelled.

I laid there pretending to be asleep. "What about Lydia, Ethan? You claimed to have loved her to her face, yet treat her this way? Tell me, did you ever love Lydia?" Nik asked.

I saw Ethan glance at me, I guess checking to see if I was asleep or not. "You know I never loved her, no one could ever replace Jess in my heart," Ethan coldly stated. There it was, the knife in my heart. I wasn't upset over breaking up with Ethan when all of this first happened.

Truthfully, I felt content within myself to call it quits. I felt like I was a replacement this whole time, and even though I loved him, I could feel the indifference towards me.

Maybe somewhere down the line I had accepted that, and that's what made the split so much easier to deal with. Ethan never loved me, I knew that, but hearing him say it out loud the way he did, it did something to me. A knife lodged deep into my heart, dripping with resentment.

I lay there silent as they continued bickering, letting tears silently slip down my cheek as I bit my lip to prevent myself from sobbing. I don't know why it hurts, I knew this is what it was the whole time. Eventually the arguing stopped and I cried myself to sleep.

Sometime later, I woke up from my slumber to find my room thankfully quiet and empty. I wanted everyone to leave me alone. Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door and Grandpa Richard and Ezra came through. They took a seat on the couch, and with somber eyes looked at me.

"We give you our blessing to pursue the relationship with Nik," my grandfather Ezra told me. I looked up at them, my eyes feeling heavy and swollen from crying previously. They gave me a gentle smile, and Richard said, "We knew it was only a matter of time before Ethan screwed up. I am so sorry, my dear child, that you had to go through that for four years."

My grandfather nodded his head in agreement. "Lyd, I will always support your happiness. If you want to be with Nik, that's what will happen," Ezra said. I didn't know it, but tears started to escape again, and my grandfather took his handkerchief and slowly wiped the tears away with a soft smile.

I was crying because it felt so good to be loved, valued, and respected. Something Ethan could never give me, and while that hurt me, I accepted the fact there are people, many people, that truly love me and want the best for me. I'm hoping Nik is that person as well. Does he have baggage like Ethan? Will he treat me badly like Ethan did?

I shook my head to shake the thoughts away and put my attention back on my grandfather and grandpa Richard. "I can't thank you both enough for your kind words, it means a lot to me," I responded, holding my arms out hoping for a hug from the two. They both stood up and wrapped me in a warm embrace.

"My dear child, why are you weeping? Now is the time to be happy," grandpa Richard stated. "I'm just happy I have both of you to love me and support me," I responded, holding them tighter. "Don't forget about me," Nik said. The grandpas released their hold on me and I looked at Nik, who was carrying a bouquet of my favorite flower. Black roses.

He walked towards me and placed the flowers on the end table next to my hospital bed, then sat next to me. He gently picked the covers up and tucked me in. I looked at him, truly looked at him, and felt so at peace within myself being with him. Something about him made my heart flutter.

Both grandfathers smiled at the interaction between myself and Nik. "We will leave you both to it. Call us if you need us," Ezra said before kissing my forehead and turning to leave. When they left, it was just Nik and I in the room. Even though Nik tucked me in, because of my fever I was still shivering.

"Can I hold you?" Nik asked. I looked up at him, and nodded my head. He laid behind me, and wrapped his arms around my thin frame after brushing my hair behind my ear. I began to warm up, and again fell asleep.

Waking up, Nik was still behind me, and he was sound asleep. The soft hum of his breathing tickling my ear, felt comforting. I wanted to stay here forever. I snuggled up closer into his body, feeling his warmth rush over me like a blanket. I looked out of the window and saw the sun rising. Even though I'm sick, this is a perfect moment.

Just Nik being around me helped me to feel better. When he woke up, he smiled and said, "I could look into your eyes every morning and never grow tired of it. Good morning, beautiful." His voice is so sexy when he wakes up.

I smiled, and said, "good morning."

"I have a meeting today. Grandpa Richard told me I would take over as CEO regardless of what happens to Ethan. I will begin my take-over and break the news to Ethan, today," he said. "If you're feeling better, I'd love to have you by my side."

I was shocked, and not sure of what to say..