Returning New Hope
Part 20
By Yuki Wildstar
Wildstar nodded his head at his aid and walked into his office as he looked on to the paper that he was handed. “Hello Derek,” he heard her say. Wildstar looked up to see her leaning on his desk completely naked. Wildstar blushed and then grew angry. He slammed the door closed quickly and snapped.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing? Get your clothes on right now!
She floated across the room to him and threw her arms around his neck. “I’ve waited for you; I thought you never get here.”
“Lieutenant, what do you think you’re doing!” he pulled her arms from around his neck and pushed her away.
She stood closer to him and reach down to rub him. “You saved my life and I thought that you and I,”
“NO! Now get dress and get the hell out of my office.” He looked away in disgust and she dropped to the floor pulling at his pants. “Stop that now!” Wildstar snapped. She wasn’t listening she worked faster as he tried to fight her off. Wildstar door flew open when she was about to finish unzipping his pants. Wildstar looked towards the door and watched as his wife walked through the door. She stopped dead in her tracks as she witness what stood before her. She turned around and raced out the door slamming the door behind her. Wildstar grabbed Captain Kobayashi by her arms and pushed her hard for her to fall and hitting her head on his desk. “GET THE FUCK OUT!” he yelled. He zipped his pants and raced out the door chasing after his wife. “NOVA WAIT!”
Nova walked quickly down the hall to the elevators and pressed the button hard in hopes that it would arrive before he got to her. Tears of anger were running down her face and looked away from the receptionist that sat across from her. She could see him coming closer to her and she dashed towards the stairwell. She began running down the stairs and she could hear him racing after her. “Stay away from me!” she yelled over her shoulder.
“NOVA PLEASE Wait!” and ran quicker and reached for her shoulder. “Nova, please, I can explain.”
“Explain What! How can you explain what I just saw?”
“I was pushing her away. She came on to me. Nothing happened I swear!”
“Oh really! So she just happened to be naked for nothing!”
“Yes. Please Nova I don’t want to shout about this. I walked into my office and she was already in there naked. She’s a colleague and an officer for god sakes. I am not that stupid.” He grabbed her in his arms and held her tight. “Please believe me, I swear nothing happened. She is the one that came on to me. I was trying to get out of there fast.”
“MY GoD Derek, how stupid do you think I am. I saw it with my own eyes. She was ready to suck on your,”
“Trust ME! I was pushing her away.”
“Well you didn’t push hard enough.” She sighed and took a deep breath. “Please just let me go and leave me alone.” She felt defeated and all she wanted to do was go home before anyone else got wind of what happened in his office. “I need to be with my kids.” Releasing his grasped she pushed away and straightened her clothes and hair. She stood straight and looked into his eyes. “Please don’t come home tonight. I have to think. I’ll tell the kids that you’re working late for now until I figure what I want to do.” She turned around and walked down the stairs. He watched her go until he couldn’t see or hear her shoes on the metal stairs. He looked up to the stairs and his anger began to return. Quickly he raced back up the stairs and to his office.
He barged into his office as she was buttoning up her shirt. “YOU FUCKING BITCH! DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU JUST DID!” he grabbed her by the arm and threw her on the couch. “THAT was my WIFE, you stupid bitch!”
She squirmed in the sofa and fear of what he would do next. “I’m sorry. I thought that we,”
“YOU THOUGHT WE WHAT!!”
She lowered her eyes and finished dressing. “You saved me from getting killed and you took me in your arms. I thought that you,”
He raised his hand at her, “stop right there. If there was anything between us was all in your head.”
She stood up and stepped closer to him. “Derek, I just wanted to show you how thankful I am for you saving me. Anyway I’m sure that woman will,”
He stared her in the face and spat out his words. “That WOMAN IS MY WIFE! Now get the hell out of here before I have you arrested.” He pushed her hard and grabbed his cover. He needed to go home and try to hash out what happened with his wife. He left his office and raced to his car. He drove frantically back to his house and hoped and prayed that she would listen and understand that he wasn’t having another affair. He promised her that he would never place himself in that position again and now this. He grew angry that he let himself be in that position again. His mind race as to how he was going to deal with Captain Kobayashi but first he had to deal with his wife. He drove out of the city and into the country. Up the mountain and down to where his house sat with his wife and children. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the car and walked to the house. Slowly he opened the door and made his way in. He looked around the house before he made his way to their room. He opened the door slowly and poked his head in, the sound of something hitting the wall made him jump back and close the door quickly. “NOVA?”
“I told you not to come home! Get out!” she yelled from inside the room.
“Nova, please we should talk.”
She threw opened the door and tossed out a bag, “take your shit and get out.”
“Whoa wait a minute, we have to talk.” He said and pushed pass the door into their room. “I swear to you I had nothing to do with what happen. She was already there and I told her to get out. Please Nova, for once believe me.”
“I can’t do this anymore. If it isn’t one thing it’s another with you. It seems like you’re a total moron when it comes to women trying to get you to sleep with them. DON’T YOU SEE all they want is to sleep with an image! Have you ever used your judgment! You can’t keep thinking that by being nice with your subordinates without something in return is a good thing. I can’t take it anymore. I want a divorce!” she snapped.
Wildstar stared at her in silence. Was she serious, of course she wasn’t? She’s just angry and blowing off steam. Tomorrow is another day and she will be a lot calmer. “You don’t mean that. So let’s not even address something like that.”
“OH I am dead serious.” She took a deep breath and looked at him defeated and tired. “Let’s face it Derek,” she huffed, “this is not new to either of us. And to tell you the truth I am tired and through with it. I don’t think this will ever work for us. I love you but I love myself more. I can’t deal with the heart ache and surprises of the press. I am so done with it all; I can’t go on like this. I think we just need to move on and go our separate ways.” She stepped closer to him and touched his face. “Please let’s not argue about it. This is the best thing to do.” He listened and her words began to set in. She was serious. “I love you Derek and we will always have our bond because of the children, but I can’t keep guessing whether or not you are with some woman somewhere and will it hit the press.” She turned away from him and walked over to their bed and sat down. “I’m tired. I love you very much but I’m tired.”
Derek stood still. He felt his world spinning out of control and he leaned back against the wall to gain control. “Your serious?” she nodded her head and he felt his heart break into a million pieces.
“Yes Derek, I am serious.” She stood up and tried to give him a smile. “I’m sorry Derek, but I am serious.”
“Okay this isn’t funny anymore. A Divorce?”
“I just can’t do this again.”
Wildstar could feel panic set in. She was serious and he knew her enough that she would go through with it. “We should talk about this. I know it looked like something was going to happen but nothing happen. I love you I would never do that to you again. I have been faithful since we got back together. Nova, please reconsider what you’re saying. Divorce! What about the kids. Do you want to put them through this again? You’re rushing into something that you think happened and nothing HAPPENED! Please don’t do this to me, to us again. I’m begging you.”
“Nothing ever happens, Derek, but in the long run something happens. I will not go through it again, so before it becomes public knowledge for all to see including our children it’s best to go our separate ways.” She looked into his eyes and her eyes soften, “I love you Derek. I will always love you. There is no one that will ever replace you. You’re a great father and at times you’re a great husband. But then there are those time when you suck and that is what I fear. When those times come out it’s for all to see not just me or the kids, the whole world. I can’t be humiliated like that again. It took me forever to hold my head up high again. For years I couldn’t walk into EDF headquarters without hearing the snickering behind my back or get the pity look from everyone. I can’t live like that anymore. We have to call it quits now before I grow to hate you.”
“Hate me? “
“Yes, hate you and hate myself for allowing you back into my life and the kid’s lives. Do you even think about what could happen? What these women only want. When someone brushes against you or happens to fall in your arms. Are you that oblivious to what women want from you?”
“I treat everyone as equals.”
“Well it seems she wanted more than being equal.” She sarcastically said.
He frowned and took her hand. “I won’t give you a divorce. I will fight to keep you. I will step down from EDF and,”
She placed her finger on his lips and said. “Don’t, you won’t step down from EDF. It’s what you love and it will always be a part of you. I know it’s not what you want but it has to be like this. Derek, I’m miserable. I can’t keep my mind from wondering if you will be with another woman. Every time you walk out the door I fear that someone is going to catch your eye and it will start all over again.” She looked away and huffed. “And I can’t live like that anymore. I will talk with the kids and tell them it’s not your fault this time. It’s just we are not meant to be. We will be happier apart.”
“I’m not letting you go. I won’t let you go. I love you.” he said softly.
“It’s not your decision to make this time. I want to wait until the kids are out of school in a few months and then I will start the proceedings. I’ll talk with the kids once they finish the school year.”
“So I have to walk around here like nothing is going to happen. I don’t think I can do that Nov. How are we going to get through the next few months without Alex figuring it out? Because he will figure it out. He’s a smart kid. How am I going to explain sleeping in the guest room?”
“Your right, sleeping in separate rooms will send a red flag.” She took a deep breath and huffed. “I guess we will have to sleep in the same room.”
“In the same bed?”
“No, you can sleep on the love seat.”
He looked at the couch and frowned. “You are kidding, right?”
“Either you can sleep there or I will, it doesn’t matter to me.”
“Nov, please don’t do this to us again. Nothing happen,” he walked over to her and took hold of her hand and placed it on his heart. “I swear. She was there already and I try to tell her to leave.”
She looked away and bowed her head. “Even if it’s the truth there will always be someone trying to throw themselves at you and I can’t live like that anymore. I never know when I walk into your office will there be someone in there trying to give you some kind of service.” She looked up and into his eyes. “I can’t do it anymore. The kids are getting older and I don’t want them to hate you over something that was printed in the press or some smut rag. So please don’t fight me on this.” He could see the pain in her eyes and her tears as they ran down her face. It broke his heart to see her miserable and unhappy. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight.
“I love you,” he whispered into her ear. “Don’t ever forget that.”
The months flew quickly and Derek and Nova played their parts well. Once inside their room he would lie awake looking up to the ceiling or looking over to where she slept. Some nights he would cry others he would sit up staring at her. Nova would try to sleep but she could feel him staring. She could see the stress in his face. Every night they go to bed he would look at her as she undressed and dressed for bed. She felt her heart wanting to break for him but she knew it would never end with other women. She didn’t want to go through all of those days again. The crying, the consoling of her children, no she couldn’t do it again. This would be better; she would sit with her children in the morning and tell them the bad news. Then she would tell him her future plans. It’s not going to be easy he will not let her go with the children but she needed to start fresh away from everything and everyone. The news will pick up on their divorce and it will be an ongoing thing for months. She needed to protect her children and she didn’t care if it hurt him. He would just have to accept it and move on. She sat up and looked over to where he laid. “Derek? Are you up?”
“Yeah I’m still up.” He answered her.
“Why don’t you come and lay down here with me. You look uncomfortable.”
“Nah, I’m okay but thanks anyway.”
“Oh come on, stop being so stubborn. I know you’re not comfortable on that thing.”
“I’m okay Nov, just go to bed.”
She got up and walked over to him. “Just get in the bed Derek; you’ll sleep a lot better. I can take the couch tonight.” He laid there still looking at her. “Come on get up and get into bed.”
“I said I was fine. Anyway it wouldn’t be right if you sleep here.”
She sat down next to him and touched his face. “Just get up and come to bed. Please.” She stuck out her hand and he took it. Nova guided him to their bed and slip in next to him. She moved closer to him and laid her head on his chest. “It’s been a while.” She whispered.
“Nova you know I hate these head games. It’s either be with me or just leave us alone. I can’t keep going back and forth.”
She moved away and said. “I understand. Goodnight Derek.” Then turned away from him and closed her eyes.
He reached over to her and touched her shoulder, “Nova.” slowly she turned and faced him. He moved slowly closer to her. He pulled her closer and kissed her quick. She through her arms around him and kissed him back. Feverishly he pulled her nightgown and she began to pull at his pajama pants. Within seconds they were naked and making love. Without saying anything else they both drifted off to sleep. Morning was hard for Nova, she loved him but her mind was set, she had to move on. He came up behind her and hugged her. “Last night was great.”
“Um Derek, don’t think because we made love means that I change my mind.”
His arms slipped from her and he stepped back. “I wasn’t thinking that, but thank you for reminding me that you’re still going ahead with it.” he snapped and walked away.
“Derek,” she called to him. He waved his hand at her and walked into his closet to dress. She sighed and began to think of her children. It was the day to tell them and him. She had to prepare herself for the questions and tears. Their last day of school came and went and now it was time to announce their, well, her intentions. She quickly dressed and walked into the kitchen. She put on the coffee and began her ritual to getting breakfast ready for her kids. Little by little each one of her kids walked into kitchen rubbing their faces of sleep. She put on a smile and began her day with them. Derek walked in and put on his best smile for his children. By midmorning she pulled him to the side and told him that it would be a good time to talk with them. He rounded them up and had them sit in the living room. Nova sat across from them and tried to give them a smile. Derek stood behind them holding his breath. Alex sensed something wrong. Nova could see the worry on his face. “Guys we all need to talk. Now what I am about to say is going to be a surprise but daddy and I agreed. Um, well things aren’t working for us and we think it’s best to go our separate ways.”
“I don’t understand mom,” Alex asked. “What do you mean go your separate ways?”
She took a deep breath and said. “We are getting a divorce.” Silence filled the room and Miku began to cry. Alex looked towards his father with accusing eyes. Nova pulled his face to face her and said. “No Alex it’s not your father’s fault or idea. It was mine. I haven’t been happy for a while and I just can’t live like this anymore. Your father wants to stay married but I just don’t want it anymore.” She spoke long and the room filled with crying children. Alex begged for them to stay together but she insisted that it was the best thing to do. Miku ran to her father and cried hard while DJ stood next to his father.
“I don’t want to go with mom. I want to go with you dad.” DJ cried.
Derek sat down and tried to smile for his son. “You have to go with your mother. You are better off with her. I can get call away at a minutes notice and you need to stay with her. It’s alright son. I will be here every day to see you and Alex and Miku. It will be like nothing ever happened. Nothing will change just only where I will be staying at night. I can find a place not far from here so you can come and see me anytime you want. Promise.”
“Derek,” Nova said.
“Right Mom? It will be just like we are still together.”
“Derek, we need to talk.” She said in a stern voice. “Kids, why don’t you all go outside and play.”
Alex took hold of his brother and sister and went to his room. Derek’s gut keep turning knowing that what she would say next will turn his life even more upside down. “What is it?” he asked afraid of her answer.
“Sit down Derek.” She patted to seat next to her.
“I don’t think sitting down or standing is going to make any different. So just spit it out.” He said.
“You shouldn’t have promised them that you will be seeing them every day.”
“Why not?”
“Because unless you’re ready to fly to the states every day it’s not going to happen.”
“What the hell are you talking about, you’re not staying here?”
“No Derek. I’m not staying here. I’ve already got a home for me and the kids. I figured once this leaks out the press is going to be all over it. So I’m taking them away before it comes out. I don’t want them in the middle of anything.”
“They wouldn’t be in the middle of anything if it wasn’t for you.” he yelled. “No! I won’t let you take them away from me.”
“Do you honestly want to drag something like this with them? And on top of everything put them through a custody battle? DO YOU! I’m protecting my children.”
“By filing for divorce! That’s how you want to protect them! NO! And NO! You are not taking them, I won’t allow it.”
“Have you forgotten about our prenup? You gave that right away when we remarried. My father made sure to that.”
“Great! The great ole mighty Daddy. I knew I shouldn’t have signed that damn thing. But I never thought that you would leave me. Well know this Ms. FORRESTER. I will find a lawyer to get them back. I won’t have you taking my kids off this island.”
“You have no choice in the matter.” She began to raise her voice and then thought about them in their rooms. “Look, just think about it. Once this becomes public we will have every vulture standing outside our home looking for a story. They will try to take pictures of them and scare the crap out of them.”
“And what makes you think they won’t find you wherever you’re at? And where is it that you’re going?”
She looked past him and said. “Arizona, there’s a small town about 60 miles from Yuma. It’s a beautiful house with a great school district and I think the kids will love it there. It sits off a large lake in a very private community. No one knows about it. I saw it the last time I was out there on business for my father.”
“So you bought a house without even discussing it with me. Great first I lose you and now I find out that you’ve been hiding things behind my back. What else are you hiding? Are you sleeping with another friend of mine?” she got up and slapped him across the face.
“Don’t you even go there. NO! I am not! And don’t dare ever bring that into this. You where the one with all the affairs, you are the one that ruined what we had too many times to count. I just don’t want to repeat it again. So now you can do what you like. I AM FINISHED!” she said raising her voice. She huffed and lowered her voice. “Derek please it would be best for all of us. You can come see them anytime you want. You can take them once everything calms down. We can do what we did last time.”
“You were on Great Island last time. This is different. You’re going to be half way around the world. How is that going to work for me?” he threw his hands in the air and walked towards their room leaving Nova alone in the living room.
Months later . . . . . .
Nova and the kids settle to their new lives in Centerville Arizona. After weeks of designing the house she was finally relaxing and enjoying her new life. Her children were already attending school and making friends. The press was in full force when she filed for divorce. Derek finally had to agree about her leaving back to the states. He was hounded day and night to questions. ‘What will you do now? Who is the new women that caught his eye? Where is his wife and children?’ the questions went on and on. He was ready to leave his beloved home. For weeks after she filed he was lost. He wanted to be with her and the kids and he cried most nights since she left. He looked around one last time before closing the door to his apartment and heading to the airport. He was headed to see his kids and soon to be ex-wife.
Nova sat on her patio reading yet another article about her and Derek and she rolled her eyes and threw the paper across the patio. After months the headlines were finally dying down and now she only saw his picture on rare times. Still the headline was ‘What will the Captain do now?’ she managed to keep her and the kids away from it all. No one knew where she went only Derek and a few close Star Force friends that would rather die than to give her up to the press. Only Derek got the brunt of it all. Now she sat waiting for him to arrive. It’s been a while since she saw him and the kids were excited to know that their father was finally coming out to see them. She almost couldn’t get them to school because they thought they would miss him. She never thought she would be but she was excited too to see him.
Wildstar’s car drove up the winding road and he watched as the house came into the view. It was a beautiful house that sat slightly on a hill overlooking a manmade lake. It was a stucco house with a red tile roof it fit prefect for the south western theme. He could feel his heart beat faster as he came closer to the house. He stood in front of the house looking at it before ringing the bell. He waited a few until she came to the door. The door opened and he saw her standing there in a bathing suit with a sarong wrapped around her midsection. Derek smiled wide to see her looking great in a bikini. “Hello young lady is your mother home?” making her laugh
“Hello Derek, you’re looking great.”
“Can I come in?”
“Of course.” She stepped aside and he walked in. “Just leave your bag there I’ll show you around. How was your flight?” she asked.
“Long, I only wish I flew myself. I might have gotten here earlier.” He said running his hand through his hair. Slowly she showed him the living area that was over looked by the kitchen. It was an open floor plan to look throughout the house without any obstruction. He followed her to each of the kid’s room by passing hers. “Whose room is that?” he asked.
“Mine, something you don’t need to get your hopes up for. You’ll never see inside of it.” she said jokingly.
“Darn,” he grabbed her hand and pushed her up against the wall. “I was hoping to un-whine before the kids come home.” He grinned.
“Not today or ever Captain Wildstar.” She laughed at his advances.
He bent his head to kiss her and she turned her head. “Not even a kiss?” he asked.
She shook her head and said, “Sorry Wildstar that would be a NO. Come on I’ll show you where you will be staying.” She slip from him and took hold of his hand. She led him to the kitchen and out to the back yard. He looked around and saw a nice size pool and a very green plush lawn. The mountains can been see in the distance under the blue skies. Nova pointed in the direction of a small house that sat on the other side of the property. “Your home,” she announced. They walked over to it and she opened the door. “Welcome to your home, Derek.”
“You’re kidding me? Right?” Though it was spacious and cozy he was hoping to stay inside the house close to her and the kids. It was an open concept room with the kitchen, living room and bedroom in one. The bathroom was in the far corner off the bedroom and from the distance he could see it was big. He walked around and looked outside the window that faced the pool and main house. “It’s a nice place Nova. But I was thinking that I would be in the main house close to the kids.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea right now. The kids can come here anytime, any way you’ll spend most of the time with them at the house or pool or even here. But at night you sleep here. Please understand. I have to figure out what I want now. You will only be a distraction.”
He gave her a grin and then smiled. “I’m a distraction, huh?”
She smirked back and said. “Why don’t we head back and get your bags. Then you can settle in.” she turned to walk out the door and he grabbed her arm. Turning her quickly he took her into his arms and kissed her. Nova wanted to push away but she did miss him terribly. They kissed long and when they pulled away she felt breathless. Quickly she pulled herself together and said. “Derek really we shouldn’t do this. I really need to get my act together and I don’t want the kids to get the wrong idea about us. I don’t want them to get their hopes up. They still think that we will get back together. Actually they’re hoping that we will.”
“And what’s stopping us from that?” he asked.
She huffed and rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to get into it again with you, Derek. I said before you came out here that that subject is off limits. So please let’s just make sure the kids have a good time with you, okay?”
“Fine! When do the kids come home?” he said annoyed.
“In a couple of hours. Are you hungry?” She asked.
“I could eat.”
“Come on I’ll make you a sandwich.” They walked back to the house and she went to work making him something to eat. Derek looked around some more until she finally told him to eat. She looked out the window and thought of the many nights alone in the house. She did miss him but she knew that it would never work with them in the trust department. He finished and grabbed his bag. “Would you like for me to help you unpack?”
He tried to give her a smile. “No I got this anyway I’ll take a nap so I’m not as edgy when the kids get home. I’ll see you in a few,” he was ready to walk out and then turned. “Nova, thanks for letting me stay here with the kids. I appreciate it.”
“Anytime Derek.”
The kids were excited to see their father waiting for them when they came from school. They jumped on him and he hugged them all at once. Even Alex was happy to see him. Before she left to the states it seemed that he gave him the cold shoulder as if it were his fault that their mother was leaving again. His mother finally sat down with him once they settle in and spoke with him. ‘Alexander, I want you to listen and hear me. I know that you are angry at your father. But there is no need for you to be. This was not your father fault it was all on me. Things with us weren’t working out. I wasn’t happy and I needed to get out before it got bad. No matter what you think, your father loves you and he never wanted to leave. It was all my doing.’
‘Did you have an affair?’ he asked her.
Nova laughed, ‘no sweetheart, I did not. It’s a little hard to explain, because I am trying to figure it out myself. I love your father very much, but my trust is just not there anymore. And if you don’t have trust with someone it’s hard to be happy. I was starting to feel miserable wondering about when the bomb is going to drop again and I couldn’t live like that.’
‘Couldn’t you work things out?’
She shook her head and continued. ‘No baby it’s not that easy. I just hope that you understand enough to not hate your father. It would destroy him knowing that you hate him. He loves you so much.’
He wiped the tears from his face and nodded in agreement. ‘I don’t hate him mom, it’s just I don’t want you to be alone or with someone that hurt you the way that guy did.’
She remembered the conversation and it gave her joy that he was excited to see him. Derek played with them outside while she cooked dinner. They sat outside and talked about their time there and the school. Derek talked with his oldest about his future. “Alex I can’t believe how big you’re getting. You’re almost my height. Have you thought about what you wanted to do now that you’re heading to Junior High School soon?”
Alexander Wildstar bowed his head and walked alongside his father. “I don’t know.”
“Well what is it that you want to do? What is your passion?”
He looked up to his father with a glimmer in his eye, “Fly.”
A smirk came to his father’s face and gave him a side hug. “What’s stopping you?”
“I don’t think mom would like that. I would like to attend the academy you and mom went to.”
Wildstar took a deep breath and rubbed his chin. “This is something we have to deal with very delicately. She won’t be happy but in a few more years you will be attending high school and she will eventually cave. But we will have to approach this slowly.”
“You think she will?”
“Let me work on her, okay.”
During dinner it was non-stop conversation about their new life. Wildstar joke and laughed with his children while Nova looked on with joy. For their 5 months apart she tried to adjust life without him. At night she would sit up in bed thinking what he was doing. When the news hit about their pending divorce she called to make sure he was alright. Every time she saw something about it in the paper she called to talk with him. He always assured her that he was alright and it’s good that she moved out to the states with kids. After dinner he sat in the living room watching a movie while Nova cleared the table with Miku and wash the dishes. “Do you want some help?” she heard him say in the entry way. Nova turned and smiled.
“No Miku and I have this.” She called over her shoulder. It felt like old times when they were back on the Island. He would walk up behind her and wrap his arms around her, kiss her on her neck and then help with the dishes. She anticipated the scenario to play out but he kept his distance. He walked over to his daughter and picked her up from the chair and told her to go watch some TV with her brothers. Slowly he took the wet plates from her and began to dry them. They worked together without a word and she thanked him when they were done. “I should get the kids ready for bed.” She announced.
“I’ll help you.” he offered.
One by one they walked from room to room tucking and biding them good night. They both sat in the living room exhausted from the day. “You must be exhausted. It was a long flight and then playing with the kids. Why don’t you go to bed I can finish up in here. And anyway you don’t want to be tired the whole time you’re here. I mean a month will fly by just like that before you know it your heading back to Great Island.”
“Um, I should tell you something.” Nova looked at him with concern. “No I’m not getting shipped out again.” He chuckled. “But it has to do with where I will be living.”
She frowned, “Where would that be?” she asked.
“A lot closer than you think. Nov,” uh oh she thought here it comes. “I put my papers in a few weeks ago for retirement. I will only go over there for consulting a lot of the work can be done from here.”
“HERE?”
“Yeah, I’ve decided to move closer to you and the kids. I just have to look for a house now.”
“No.”
He blinked rapidly and looked at her confused. “Why not, it will be convent for you and the kids. I can see them whenever I like instead of waiting for time off or them coming all the way over to Great Island to see me.”
She stood up and paced the floor. “Derek, you can’t stop working for EDF and anyway what about the Argo. She needs you.”
“She’s a ship Nova. Though I will miss things about being a captain that is very few and in between, most of the time I get stuck behind a desk looking at papers and invoices. The only thing that kept me sane was flying in the mornings. Anyway this way I can pick and choice what I want. I spoke to Sandor and the council agrees that if they need me that they can reinstate me for the time they need me. It wasn’t easy but you and the kids are lot more important in my life then EDF. I’ve miss you and them so much I was lost in that big house.”
“What did you do with the house?” she asked. When she left she gave him the house. What he did with it would be on him.
“I sold it.” He said. “I hope you don’t mind. I mean it’s not like the kids are there. And it was such a big house. “
“I don’t know what to say. This is all so unreal.”
“Tell me that you will help me find a house nearby.”
“So I am guessing that you’ll be staying in the guest house for a while.” She looked concern to him.
“Is that a problem because if it is I can stay at a hotel, but I rather not. I mean I got a good deal on the house but I don’t want to blow it all on a hotel.”
She tried to think, “Um I guess it would be alright.”
He stood up and walked over to where she stood. Just being that close to her made her feel venerable. She never thought that he would leave his native home. “Are you uncomfortable with me coming here to live?”
“No, no it’s just that,” she tried to think.
He stood closer to her and her body blushed. “I promise I will be a perfect gentleman.” His cologne was taking control of her emotions and she turned and walked away from him. She looked at him and saw the disappointment in his face. “I’m sorry I thought it would be a good idea. I’ll look for a hotel in the morning.”
“No Derek, you can stay here until you find a place to stay.” She said in a low voice.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.”
“It’s alright, and yes I will help you look for a place.”
He smiled and gave her a hug. “Thanks, now we have to tell the kids.”
“You haven’t told them?”
“No, I wanted to speak with you first. If you weren’t okay with it I didn’t want to get the kids hopes up.”
“I think they will love having you closer to them.” She finally gave him a smile. “It’s late and tomorrow is going to be a long day. Do you need anything?”
“Yes someone to walk me to the guest house.”
She laughed and said, “And who will walk me back in the dark.”
“We can play that game all night.” He lean down and kissed her check. “Good night Nova. I love you.”
“Good night Derek.”
Derek and Nova looked for months for a place with no avail, the homes in the area where few and far between. With much heart ache she allowed him to stay in the guest house. It was hard for her to know that he was there. Every night she would look out the window to see him walking around the guest house either on the phone or looking out into the night sky. Derek Wildstar would watch from the distance as her light in her room would go on. She would walk around preparing for bed. The silhouette from her room as she took off her clothes would make him want her more. He hated himself for letting her go and letting her have her divorce. His first weeks there he had little sleep thinking of her so close to him yet he wasn’t able to be with her. She made sure that he would leave the main house at night and lock the doors. She soon settled back into her routine and dismissed his advances. He was only a tenant to her now and the father of her children. They soon became friends and would laugh and talk while the kids were in school. When he started to become more affectionate she would push him away. It wasn’t easy for him being so close to her during the day. He wanted so much to take her in his arms and whisk her off to bed. But she made it a point that those days were over. Their kids enjoyed their father living nearby and he loved seeing them every day. During the time they were in school, he would be on the phone in the guest house with EDF or Sandor. Around lunch time he would stroll into the kitchen and see if she was up or free to talk. At times he would find her on the phone also talking with her father about the company businesses. She waved him in as she continued to talk on the phone. Derek made his way to the refrigerator and took out things to make a sandwich. He signed to her and she nodded her head yes. As she talked on the phone he put together two sandwiches for her and him. She hurried off the phone and took a deep breath. “I thought I’d never get off the phone. It started the minute the kids headed to school and it’s been non-stop since.”
“Same here.” He handed her the sandwich and she thank him. “So anything going on? Are you building anything?”
“No those days are over. Though I am starting to take over a lot of my father’s accounts, something I dread doing but he is getting older. Anything going on with you?’
“Unfortunately there is. I have to drive down to Yuma and test out a new Cosmo Zero fighter. I should be only gone a couple of days.”
Nova raised her eyebrow and said. “Yuma huh, well I guess I will see you in a few days.”
“What is that supposed to mean? Its work, nothing more.” He said defensibly
“I haven’t said anything; I simply said I’ll see you in a few days.”
“You don’t believe me that I am going to Yuma do you?”
“I believe you Derek. I never said I didn’t.” She grabbed her drink and took a sip. “When will you leave?”
“I have to drive down there tonight.”
“That’s a really long drive; you’re talking about an hour or so.”
“What are you saying I should leave now?” he asked annoyed. Was she trying to get rid of him? “I wanted to be here for the kids before I leave.”
“They will understand,” she got up and placed her dish in the sink and started to walk out of the room.
Derek was quick to follow. “Am I over staying my welcome? Because if I am, I can look for another place to stay. What’s bugging you? Have I done something that has upset you?”
“No. Just go.” She snapped.
Derek felt confused. What did she want from him? He gave her the divorce she wanted. He walked away from his career to be with her and their children. He left his home land where he grew up and loved. Now she acted like she didn’t want him around. He followed her into her small office and sat in front of her. “What’s wrong, did I do something wrong?”
She huffed and sat back in her chair. “No you didn’t. You’ve been great. I’m sorry I guess I was getting used to you being around and now this. I thought I could just cut off my emotions, but I guess I can’t. You and I are no longer married and I shouldn’t feel jealous of you going anywhere. It’s your life Derek, this is what I wanted for both of us and I can’t turn around and change the rules on you. If you want to leave later tonight it will be alright. I can’t tell you what to do.”
“You’re Jealous,” he grinned. “Well that is new to me. Do you think I’m sneaking away to meet some floozy?”
She blushed hard in embarrassment. “No, no.”
He stood up and walk to where she sat then knelt down to her. “Why don’t you come with me?”
“And who will watch the kids?”
“We can get someone to sit with them. You do have someone in mind, don’t you?”
“I can’t go with you. I have no one. I never thought of leaving here.”
“Then let’s take them with us. They will only miss a day of school. We have the whole weekend. We can leave the minute they get home.”
“I don’t think so,”
He leaned closer to her and said, “Come on Miss Forrester. Just one day. It will be fun and Alex does show interest in flying.” Nova smiled. “Great then you are coming. ROAD TRIP!” he yelled making her laugh out loud. He pulled her to her feet and kissed her. At first it was a simple kissed but then it became more passionate. Nova wanted to stop but her body wouldn’t let her. She took in his kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him tighter. Derek let his hands roam her body moving her towards the couch that sat in her office. Their kiss turned more heated. She tried to pull away but her body wanted him so much. With expertise Derek worked his hand under her shirt and snapped her bra off. Within minutes they were making passionate love. The weeks of wanting each other took over. Nova never knew how they made it to her bedroom but when they finally pulled apart she felt angry at herself for allowing it to happen. Derek lay on her bed sleeping from exhaustion. She shoved him gently then harder. Derek sat up ready for battle. Quickly he realized where he was and smiled at his ex-wife. She sat next to him covered with the sheet across her chest. “I wasn’t expecting that,” he tried to make light of what happened.
Nova hung her head and said, “me neither. But we can’t let this happen again.”
“Really? Why not?”
“Because we are divorce, this is not part of being divorce. We are supposed to be moving on with other people not together again.” She slammed her hand on the bed and jump out wrapping the sheet around her body. “Please go Derek.”
“Nova wait, obviously we both needed and wanted each other or else it would have never happened. You didn’t want me to stop,”
She turned around and snapped, “I KNOW I DIDN’T! And that is why I hate myself more. Just go Derek; you have a long ride to Yuma.”
He didn’t want to argue with her and looked around the room, “Um my clothes are in the other room.”
She huffed and then went to fetch them. She raced back into the room with his clothes in her hands and she threw them at him. “Hurry, it’s almost time for the kids to come home.”
He looked at his watch and frowned. “Why are you worried about them seeing us?”
“I don’t want them to get any ideas of working things out.”
He snatched his clothes from the bed and began to dress, “honesty Nova you act like we made a major crime here. We still love each other, we wanted it to happen. Now you’re making me feel like it was a huge mistake with me.”
She sat on the bed and tried to clear her head. Her anger grew and she yelled at him, “Damn it! This is what I was afraid of when you decided to move here. I rather you back on Great Island! At least there I wouldn’t have to worry about something like this to happen.” Then she broke down and cried.
Derek didn’t know whether to yell back at her with anger or hold her in his arms. “God Nov, please don’t cry. I hate to see you cry. Please baby, I’m sorry I should have had more control. I guess its best that you don’t come. You need your space.” He pulled her face up to look at him. “Once the kids get home I’ll go.” He kissed the top of her head and gave her a gentle hug. “I’m sorry.” He began to walk out when she called to him.
“Derek, wait.” She tightened the sheet and stood up. “I’m sorry this is all my fault. I should have never led you on. Maybe it would be better if you do look for another place. Maybe now we can find something for you.” Wildstar looked at her dumb founded. “If you stay here it will only happen again. And I can’t trust myself enough to stay away.”
He took a deep breath and asked. “Is that so bad, Nov? To be in love and be with someone you love. I do anything for you because I love you and want you to be happy. I’ve given you your divorce even though it has made me unhappy. I let you move here with my kids even though it makes me unhappy, but I do it for you because I love you.” He looked at her one more time and left. She stood in her room minutes later holding her sheet around her crying.
Derek Wildstar flew EDF latest Cosmo Zero with ease. He took notes in his head to send back to Sandor for improvements. He moved the ship swiftly through the mountains and up over the desert. If one thing that kept him from thinking of his ex-wife was his flying. Alex begged to come with him but Nova put her foot down and reminded him about school. He gave his son a promise the next time he would take him. Testing took days then he thought it would and by the time he finished flying all the fighters two days turned to five. Sandor flew in to check in on his review of them. Wildstar looked out the cockpit and saw him standing near the hanger as he guided to a halt. Quickly he jump out and walked towards his friend. “Sandor!”
“Wildstar, how did it go? Do you approve?”
“I’ll send you my report to you as soon as I finish, but as far as I can tell they are excellent fighters. Shame I only get to test them out. I would love to see how they handle in space and in battle.”
“We can still arrange that if you like.” Sandor said.
Wildstar shook his head and said. “No, the kids need me.”
He looked closer at his friend. “How are things with you and Nova?”
“Not good. She wants me to move out of the guest house and find my own place.”
“I thought it all worked out in that. Your close to the kids and yet not in the same house.”
“Yeah well I guess I mess that up.”
“Oh, what did you do?”
“Slept with the landlord.” He said embarrassed.
Sandor stared at him and then let out a laugh. “You and she, you did what? Wouldn’t that make things better for you?”
“Apparently not, she’s really mess up about it. It was the last thing she wanted to do.”
“I’m sorry Derek.”
“I should have never come out here. She hates me.”
“I wouldn’t say that. She’s just confused and hurting. Give her space.”
“That’s why I took longer to fly. I hope that when I get back that she will at least let me stay close to see the kids. I never knew how miserable she was until now.”
“But now you’re miserable. Maybe you should go away for a while give her the space she needs. Who knows it may help you.”
“No, no I have to make sure that she is alright and happy. That’s all I ever wanted for her.” He huffed, “come on I’ll go over the improvements that I think would be good.” They walked around the fighter going over the structure. “They have to look at the router control; it sticks and pulls to the left a little.” He informed Sandor. They climbed up to the cockpit and Wildstar slipped in. He pointed to some of the controls and began telling him what he found, “the raider glitches too much. That will be a problem in battle. The firing system works great, the accuracy is dead on. As for the speed, whoa, I only wish I could’ve had it up in space and try it out.” He went on and on about the upgrades and what can be better. Sandor followed and listened carefully to what he said. They talk on for hours after about things. They ate out in a pizza place that stood there for centuries, Rocky’s Pizza was known throughout the area. He looked out the darken window and looked on as cars race to their destination.
“When are you heading back?” Sandor asked.
“Later tonight, she should be asleep and I just don’t want the awkwardness when I get there. At least if I get there at night I don’t have to face her right away. I can see the kids in the morning and then start looking for a house after.” Sandor listened to his friend and can hear the defeat in his voice.
“Derek, maybe it’s just time to throw in the towel. Let her live her life. That’s all she ever wanted.”
“Don’t you think that is what I am letting her do? But I can’t be away from my kids. Seeing them once in a while is not what I want. I spent my young life with my parents until they died and I missed them terribly. How I wish they were alive to see their grandkids, to see Nova and I married. I’d give anything to run to my mother and ask for advice about what to do.” He huffed, “I don’t want my kids to not be able to come to me to talk. I want to be in their lives not around the world making arrangements to when they can come out to see me. If it makes me miserable then so be it. She has been for so many years and now she deserves happiness. Even if it makes me unhappy.”
“I see, sorry about everything Derek. But if you ever want to change that you know where to contact me.” He looked at his watch and said. “It’s getting late. I have to fly back and I am sure you want to start your drive back.” They bid their goodbyes and Derek went to his hotel to pack.
Nova slept in her room when the light hit her eyes. She glanced over to her clock and saw it was past 2 am. She sat up and watched as his car pulled into the driveway and he got out. He must have been driving long from the distance he looked worn out. She took his time away to think about what she wanted to do about his living arrangement and she needed to tell him what she decided. She wasn’t expecting him this early when she spoke to him last he wasn’t due to arrive until late in the afternoon. She slowly got out of bed and put a sweater on. She slip out of the room and walked across the patio to the guest house.
Derek Wildstar walked to the guest house and dropped his bags. He was exhausted from the long day and drive. He threw his jacket over a chair and went into the bathroom for a long needed shower. He stripped his clothes off and stood under the hot water taking in the steam and hot water. It felt relaxing to be back and he was ready to hit his warm bed. He stepped out and dried up walking into the room. He pulled out some pajama pants and slipped them on when he notice her sitting there. “Nova! what are you doing up?”
“You got in early. I wasn’t expecting you until later today.”
“Yeah well I didn’t want to wait and I figure it to be awkward with you. This way I can get a good night sleep and then later start looking for a place.”
She crossed her face and asked. “Look for a place?”
“Nova, as much as I would love to talk right now I am exhausted. As you can see I just want to get into bed and sleep. We can talk in the morning.”
“Derek, all I need you to do is listen. Can you stay up for that?” she asked.
He sat on his bed and scratched his head. “I’ll try.”
“Good,” she got up and walked over to where he was at. She sat next to him and began to speak. “You don’t have to move out its best that you stay here close to the kids.”
“What about you? What about us?”
“I spent a lot of nights thinking of that. And to tell you the truth I don’t know. I like having you around for the kids and I do love you but I feel that if we stay together it will only get worse as to trust.”
“I wasn’t with anyone down there. I fly, work and then went to bed.” He was more exhausted of going over and over with the subject. It was becoming boring and he was sick of it. “So if that’s where you’re getting at then forget it. I am not in the mood to argue over it. I’m very tired and all I want to do is go to bed.”
“Please Derek just hear me out.” She said quickly.
“I have heard you out, over and over again. I have told you that nothing happened between me that woman and you still chose not to believe it. There’s nothing more I can say on it, believe what you want. I am edgy and tired and the last thing I want to do is talk about it at this late hour. I want to sleep.” He fell back onto the bed and closed his eye. Nova bowed her head and began to get up when she felt his hand on hers. “Sorry, I’m just exhausted from driving. Let me put on some coffee and we can talk.” She sat on his bed as he made coffee and then pour some into a cup. He swung back a swallow and gave it a second to hit him. “Okay let’s talk.”
“Can we just play things by ear about us? I want to see what happens with us. I’m not saying we are getting back together but we can just, I don’t know, just be friends.”
“Friends with benefits?” he asked with a smirk.
Nova smirked with him. “No, what happen was as you said. We needed each other nothing more.”
“Oh we needed each other over and over.” He joked.
Nova rolled her eyes and tried not to laugh. “Stop it!” she giggled. She got up and threw her hands in the air. “God, why can’t I ever stay mad at you?”
Derek smiled and drank down his coffee. “I try my best to keep you entertained.”
She gave him a shove and said, “Please don’t make me laugh.” She touched his face and smiled. “I do love you. But I just can’t be married to you. This way if we want to walk away to find someone else it’s much easier.”
“What makes you think I would walk away from you?” he stood closer to her and placed his hand on her chin.
She smiled and looked into his eyes. “Let’s not start that again, okay.”
“Okay.” He softly whispered.
“It’s late and I know you’re tired. I’ll see you in the morning or afternoon. I won’t tell the kids that your home so they won’t bother you. Goodnight, Derek.” She said. She lean up and kissed his cheek and he took her hand in his and placed it on his heart.
“Don’t go.” He asked.
“Derek, we can’t start fresh if you keep trying to get me in bed.”
“Well I wasn’t thinking that, it’s, I just had coffee and now I am all wired up. Just sit with me and talk.” He said.
She thought that it wouldn’t be a good idea but because of her he was now up. “Okay, but not near here.” She pointed to his bed. “We can sit in the living area or on the patio.”
“The patio is fine. Come on.” He put on a shirt and jacket and walked outside with her. He looked up to the sky and said. “I’m starting too really like it here. It’s not that many place you can actually see the stars. When you were in New York it was really hard to see them.” Just then a shooting star sailed across the sky. “And you don’t see that either.”
“Only in space do we get to see any of that. It is beautiful here. That’s why I got it. The Cactuses, the sound of the coyotes and the beautiful mountains. Mind you, the only down fall it’s hot as hell here.” They both laughed.
“Hot is not even the word for that. It’s like living on the sun in the summer time.” He reached over and took her hand in his. Nova looked up to the sky and watched as another falling star shot across the dark skies. “What are you think?” he asked.
“Nothing just enjoying sitting here and watching the night sky.”
He watched as she rubbed her shoulders and asked. “Cold?”
“Just a little.”
He took off his jacket and wrapped it around her. “Here, I don’t want you to get sick.” He said as he touched her face. She thanked him and they sat quietly next to each other holding hands. He looked down as he played with her wedding ring and realized that she still wore it. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “You still wear it,” he said.
She blushed and looked at his hand also. “You still wear yours.”
“Of course I do. I feel like we are still married. Anyway it keeps all the skanks away.” Nova laughed out loud. “Shh, you’ll wake the kids.”
“Skanks? Really?” she chuckled at the thought.
He felt the coffee wear off and yawned. He gave one last look to the sky and said. “It’s getting late, we should get some sleep.” He stood up and helped her to her feet. “I’ll walk you to the door.” He kissed her cheek and bid her a good night.
To be continued . . . . . .
As the Wildstar settle into a new life what does life have in store for them now? Will they return to one another or will life give them different roads to follow. Read on to see what happens next with our favorite couple.