The Big Blowup

By Yuki Wildstar

A year later . . . .

Time was short on his return from Pluto and once again he was sent out a few times more on missions. A year later his schedule finally slowed down and Derek was just happy to be with his little family. Within a week’s time he requested leave for two weeks surprising Nova with a trip to the island they spent their honeymoon before his next mission. 

“Thanks, mother for taking him for the two weeks, “ Nova said. “Yvey and Sandor took leave and went to Puerto Rico to see her family. Denise and Tony got orders to go to San Diego. So we had no choice then, but to ask you.”

“Nova , you know Alex is welcome here anytime,” her mother Sandra said.

“Yeah but with daddy away I wasn’t sure if he would be too much for you. He is a lot to handle. And he just soaks everything in.”

“Nova” she huffed “I did raise you.”

Nova sighed out loud “When is daddy coming back?”

“He’s in Asia taking care of some business there. It might take a while. He is dealing with the laborers out there. So there is no telling when he will come home.”

“Are you sure that you are up to this? We can take Alex with us.”

“I’ll be fine.” She snapped under her breath. Sandra thought, Honesty…she thinks that I never raised a child before.

“Alright, anyway when we get back Derek is taking Alex with him to The Sector 3 Base Station.” Nova said as she fiddled with her coffee.

“Why on Earth would you allow him to take your son out into space?” Sandra yelled.

“Oh mother, not now.  Alex will be perfectly safe with him.” Nova rolled her eyes. “Anyway Derek thinks that it will ease things with Namir and Desslock.”

“The leaders of the Bolar and Gamilon Empire! Are you insane! Anything can go wrong and what if one of them draws their weapon? Alex can get hurt or at worst killed.”

“Mother, please! Can I just drop him here and not worry about you going off the deep end?”

“Fine.” She said when Derek and Alex walked into the room. “Alex my love, come here to grandma.”

Alex now 3 and half years old ran into his grandmother arms and hugged her. “Ganma, Daddy taking me to Secta 3 when he comes back.”

“That’s wonderful Alex.” She said as she gave them both disapproving eyes. “We are just going to have a great time while they’re away. Now say goodbye to your mother and father.”

Nova held on to her son tightly not wanting to let go. She felt something tug at her heart as if she would never see him again. “You be good for grandma. Be a big boy and help her around the house, alright?”

“I will ,mom,” he gave her the same grin that his father had that always melted her heart.

“Come here son.” Derek said giving him a hug also. “I’ll see you in two weeks, so make sure that your uniform is pressed and looking sharp.”

“Yes, sir.” He saluted his father making him laugh.

Nova hugged him once again a tear forming in her eye. “Oh come on mom. I’m a big boy, ganma and me are gonna have fun.”

“I love you Alex.” She said.

“Nova, come on he’ll be fine here with his grandmother. We have to get going before the weather changes and we can’t take off.”

Standing up Nova brushed her clothes off to straighten them out. Tears streaming down her face she gave her mother a kiss on the cheek, turned and left with her husband.

They landed just before sunset. Derek began to take out the bags then turn to watch as his wife took in the ocean air. “Hey babe, why don’t you go in and I’ll finish getting the bags?”

Nodding in his direction she walked up to the bungalow and opened the door. Surprised at what she saw she turned to her husband who struggled to carry their bags. “When did you arrange this?”

Giving her a grin he put the bags inside and then kissed her. “I called ahead and made sure that they got everything right. We shouldn’t see anyone the whole time we’re here. I made arrangements for us to be alone. Oh yeah, by the way, give me your cell phone.”

“What?”

“Give me your cell. We’re here to relax, so no calls.” He said as he took her cell from her.

“But what if something happens with Alex?” Nova said with a worried tone.

“Alex is fine. Now this is supposed to be our second honeymoon so just relax.” He said then gave her a kiss on the neck.

“Derek I just keep getting this uneasy feeling! Like something is going to go wrong.”

“It’s probably the fact that our son is not with us. I mean, when was the last time we were alone without him? You’re just getting mother’s anxiety. Now please just relax and let’s enjoy ourselves.” Derek said trying to ease her mind.

Taking a deep breath Nova try to take her husband’s advice and try to relax. “I guess you’re right. Maybe I’m just missing Alex already.” She wrapped her arms around her husband and kissed him on the cheek. “It’s just lovely Derek, thank you.” She said as she looked around. The canopy bed sat in the middle of the room. Rose petals spread all around the room. Candles lit, illuminating the room. The smell of roses filled the air. A plate of sushi and fruit sat nearby and the doors were left open to catch the ocean breeze. Derek slowly worked with his hands on her light spaghetti-strapped blouse unbuttoning each button as he kissed the back of her neck.

“I guess I shouldn’t have packed anything,” Nova laughed.

Looking over at the luggage he grinned. “Yup I think you over packed. Don’t think that we will need anything in there.”

---

A week past and Nova managed to not think about their son. Lying down on the beach she took in the sun. Derek walked up and noticed that she laid topless taking in a tan. “Would you like for me to rub some suntan lotion on you?”

Covering her eyes from the sun she looked up at her husband. “Derek, can we call my mother and just make sure Alex is alright? I miss him so much.”

Looking at his wife he could tell how much she missed their son. He too missed his son and figure it would do them both good in order to continue their vacation. “Yeah I miss him too. I think we could come out of our fantasy and give our son a call.” He smirked at her.

---

After the third ring someone finally picked up. “Hello, Forrester residence.”

“Pierre is that you?” Nova asked. “It’s me, Nova.”

“Ms. Nova how nice to hear from you, how is the holiday so far?”

“It’s just heavenly. Is my mother home?”

“I’m sorry Ms. Nova …she left 15 minutes ago.”

“Did she take Alex with her?”

“No Miss. He is with Ms. Becky, would you like for me to put him on?”

“Please,” she smiled into the phone.

A few minutes later her smile widened to hear her son on the phone. “Mommy!”

“Alex baby, how is everything at grandma’s? Are you having fun? Are you eating alright? We miss you so much.”

“Mommy! Ganma and me are having so much fun. We went to the park and the museum. She took me to the movies and then we went to the court house.”

“The court house? Why there, baby?” Nova asked.

“She said something about ad, ad, adopt . . .”

“Adoption?”

“Yes.”

‘What an odd thing to do’ she thought “Who is she adopting?”

“Me!”

Nova held the phone confused as to what he was saying. “Alex, why would grandma adopt you?” she asked getting a sinking feeling in her stomach.

“I heard her say that she needed to rescue me.”

Trying to be calm she said “Oh Ale,x she’s not adopting you. We should be home real soon. Give grandma my love and be a good boy. I love you baby,” Then she hung up.

Derek gave her a shocked look as to why she didn’t let him speak to his son. “What gives Nov? I wanted to speak to him too.”

“Derek we have to go NOW!” She began to panic.

“Calm down ,what happened?”

“I’m not sure, but I think she is trying to take Alex away from us.” She began to grab her top and towel.

“Hold on. What do you mean she’s trying to take Alex away from us?”

“Alex said she took him to the court house and that she was adopting him. We have to go!” She began to breathe heavily.

“Nova, calm down, maybe he misunderstood what she was saying? Maybe it was something else?”

“Derek, I told you I was having a bad feeling about this. Why would our son say something like that, he doesn’t even know what adoption is! She took hold of his shirt and began to cry. “We have to go, please Derek. She, she . . . why would she do this to me?”

“Okay, calm down. We can leave right away. Let’s go back and pack.” He said trying to calm her down. “Lucky for us we didn’t even unpack.” He tried to make light of the situation. Within the hour they were heading back to the States.

Six hours later Nova and Derek’s car drove up the drive way of her parents’ house in Southampton, on the expensive South Shore of Long Island.

“Do you want me to go with you?” Derek asked her.

Still shaking and feeling uneasy she knew that she had to handle this alone. If Derek was there it would get physical. “No, I’ll go get him. You stay here.” She stood at the door and waited until it was opened. Pierre opened the door and bowed to Nova. “Where is he?” she snapped.

“Ms. Nova your mother packed him up and left to the City.”

“Are they coming back?”

“No Miss. She ordered us to close up the house.”

Blood draining from her face she began to ask questions. “Where did she go in the city?”

“She didn’t say. She just told me to close up the house.”

“Where’s my father?”

“I’m not sure Miss, but maybe his office will know.” Pierre said, trying not to get in the middle of a family feud.

Tears streaming down her face she ran out of the house towards the car. Sensing something wrong Derek got out of the car and ran to Nova. “What happen? Where’s Alex?” he felt his throat tighten at what she was going to tell him.

“She took him, Derek. She took our son.” She yelled and fell into his arms crying.

“What do you mean? Where did she take him?”

“She kidnapped our son. I knew she was up to no good. Something told me not to leave him there!”

“Nova, calm down baby we don’t know this yet. Maybe there was a misunderstanding. Give her a call. She’s probably in the city shopping and spoiling him to death.”

“I can’t Derek, you call her.” Nova hands shook so hard that it prevented her from dialing her mother’s cell number. Derek took hold of her phone and waited for someone to pick up. “Anything?” she asked as she bit on her nails.

“She’s probably in a dead zone. We’ll keep trying, how about your father?” He said feeling the pit of his stomach tighten.

“He’s in Asia dealing with labor issues. Pierre told me to call the office, but they’re closed until Monday.”

“How about his assistant? Do you have his number for emergencies?”

“I’m not sure.” She said then grabbed her cell from him and began to look through it. Still shaking she cursed out loud from hitting the wrong buttons.

Derek took hold of her hands and looked deep into her eyes. “Nova baby, look at me!” eyes filled with tears she took a deep breath. “We are going to find him.” He said trying to show no signs of anger. “Now, are there any hotels that she may like staying in? We can start there.”

“Yes the Ritz or the Towers. Anything else would be beneath her.” Nova said thinking of all the hotels.

“We’ll start there. Get in the car. I’ll be right back.” He said as he gently kissed her cheek. Then walked back to the house and knocked on the door. Pierre once again opened the door. Derek step inside out of view of Nova. Grabbing him by the neck he said. “You tell that bitch when she calls I’m taking my son back. And she better be grateful that her daughter is there when we find her. Or else I cannot be liable to what I’ll do to her. Now if you know where she went and what she is up to! I think that you should tell me right now or I’ll make sure that Mr. Forrester sends you packing back to the hole you came from.”

“Please” he coughed. “She spoke to a lawyer friend of hers. She called him just before she left. Please, that’s all I know.”

“How can I get in touch with Mr. Forrester?” Derek said as he loosened his grip on him.

“There’s a number in the kitchen in case of an emergency. I believe it’s his personal assistant’s number.”

“Get it!” Derek snapped then let him go. Pierre regained his composure and went into the kitchen to retrieve the number. Derek stood waiting at the foyer trying hard to keep from burning the house down. Within seconds Pierre walked back with the number. “This better be the right one or you won’t have to worry about Mr. Forrester. I’ll kill you myself.” Then he slammed the door behind him as he made his way back to the car.

Nova sat in the car still crying when he slipped in and sat next to her. Leaning forward he told the driver to head into the city to the Ritz hotel. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. Kissing her forehead he rubbed his hands on her shoulder trying to calm her down. “It’s alright baby, we’re going to get him back. I promise you that.” He said then dial the number Pierre gave him. Two rings later he heard a voice on the other side. “Hello” they said.

“This is Captain Derek Wildstar, is this Melvin?”

“Yes it is Captain Wildstar. It’s good to hear from you. How are Nova and Alex?” he asked.

“Not good. I have to get in touch with Mr. Forrester. This is a matter of importance. It is imperative that I get in touch with him.”

“Captain he is in Asia, it . . .”

“Melvin I don’t care how you do it. His wife has kidnapped my son and if I don’t get in touch with him soon there no telling what I’ll do to Sandra!”

A short silence came over the phone then Derek heard him speak. “Give me an hour. Where are you now?”

“In the car heading into the city to the Ritz, Nova is a wreck.”

“Have you any clue to where Sandra went?”

“Pierre said she was talking with a lawyer friend and she was heading into the city. Melvin, I don’t think she will be staying at her usual places. If there’s any information you can find out  . . .”

“I’m on it . . . call you back.” He said then hung up.

Derek lean forward to the driver and asked, “How much longer until we get into the city?”

“Another hour, sir.”

“Try to make it sooner.” He said as he held Nova, who was still crying. ‘When I get my hands on her I’m going to kill her.’ He thought as he looked out the window watching the city outline in the far distances.

They check into the hotel and questioned the clerk. “Has Mrs. Forrester checked in yet?”

“I’m sorry Captain, she has no reservation with us.”

“If she happens to check in can you please inform me the minute she does?”

“Yes sir.”

They were led to a suite high in the hotel. Derek ordered the bellhop to place the bags in the room while Nova walked out on the terrace. Facing the sky line of New York City, Nova stood quietly taking in the warm city air and listening to the faint sound of the city streets that could be heard in the distance. Derek stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her stomach. “How are you, baby?” he asked. Nova stood quiet tears still streaming down her face. Derek walked her back into the suite and sat her down. “Nova, why don’t you get some rest? I’ll wait for your father to call.”

“No Derek, I can’t sleep now.”

Staring into her face he could tell she was a wreck. He walked over to the bar and poured her a drink then one for him. Drinking his down first he then gave her the glass. “Drink this, baby.”

“No, I want to be sharp when they find her,” Nova said angrily.

“Nova baby please just Res . . . .” he started to say when his cell went off. “Hello?”

“Derek, this is James. How are you, son? Is everything alright? Melvin left word that it was an emergency at the house.” Derek looked over to his wife and then walked out to the terrace.

“James we have a major problem. Looks like Sandra has kidnapped my son. She won’t answer any of our calls. Pierre has informed me that she was talking with a lawyer.”

James listened closely to his son-in-law. Fear and anger starting to set in, his thoughts wonder why she would do this to their only daughter. “Where are you now, Derek?”

“We’re at the Ritz. Nova is a wreck!”

“I’m leaving now. I will be back in the States in 18 hours. In the mean time I will make some calls. Don’t worry Derek, I’ll find her.” He said reaching out to his son-in-law. ‘How could she do this? Nova will never forgive her for this. She has risk never seeing our grandson and daughter ever again.’ “I will be in touch.” then hung up the phone. He turned to his clients and said, “I’m sorry gentlemen, but there is an emergency back home that I have to deal with. Can we please reschedule say in about a month’s time?”

“Is everything alright, James?” one client asked

“Family matter. Now I must go.” He said as he looked over to his driver and motioned him to move. They walked out the building and got into the car. “Airport, Lance.”

“Yes, sir”

Taking his cell phone out he dialed the number. “Melvin, what have you got for me?”

“Sir no one has seen her. She is not at her usual places and I have all the hotels in the city keeping an eye out for her.”

“Call all our legal firms and informed them that she is not to receive any legal advice. Call Alan and have her finances cut off, including her private funds,” James snapped. “We will bring her out once she doesn’t have any money to live on.”

“Yes sir.”

“And see about this lawyer friend of hers. It seems he will be our lead as to where she is hiding.”

“Yes sir, on it right now.”

James hung up and quickly dialed another number. “Senator Bradley’s office,” He heard a woman’s voice come through.

“Hello Mabel, is he in? This is James Forrester.”

“Yes sir, setting up another poker date.” She giggled. “He claims to have lost a pretty penny with you.”

James laughed at her not wanting her to know the situation. “Next time it’s my turn.” He and the Senator played poker every Wednesday night for years. They played with pennies for fun. She switched him over.

“James how goes it over in Asia?”

“It was working out, but I need a favor.”

“Anything,” He said to his friend.

“I need you to prevent Sandra from leaving the country. I need you to have her visa revoked immediately.”

“Trouble in paradise, dear friend?”

“It’s nothing like that. She’s not well, she has kidnapped my grandson and Nova is worried sick about him.”

“I see. I’ll have all surveillance tapes pulled up from the last twenty four hours and inform all airports to keep an eye out for her. I’ll call in some favors in other countries to see if she entered there within the last 24 hours. James you know if this becomes an international thing she can be arrested and convicted without trial.”

“Yes I know, please can we keep this under the raider.” He feared that would happen and pray it would not come up. “Thank you Alan.”

“I’ll give you a call once I hear anything.”

Derek watched his wife pace back and forth in the room. It was hours since their return and he watched as his wife mumbled to herself.  “Nova, honey why don’t you go lay down, it’s been a long day.” He tried to calm her down.

“I can’t Derek. She has my baby. Why would she do this to us? Has she lost her mind?” she continued.

“There’s nothing we can do until your father calls us. We just have to sit and wait.”

“HOW CAN I SIT HERE?! SHE HAS MY SON!” she yelled. She snatched her purse and began to walk towards the door.

“Whoa, where are you going?” Derek got up and stood in front of her.

“To look for my son, if I have to turn every stone. Look in every hotel. Search every cab. Kick every train rat and search every infested roach motel to find my son I will.”

Derek smirked at her answer but held her back. “Nova just give it another hour, okay?” Huffing at his logic she sat down and put her face in her hands then cried again. Derek walked out to the terrace and dialed a number he wished he never had to use. “Hello, Michael.”

“Derek how are you? How are things going with the vacation?”

“I really can’t go into anything right now. But I need your help.” Derek proceeded to tell him what happen with little information as possible. “So can you help?”

“I’ll give a friend of mine a call. He works over there in Manhattan at Metropolitan Hospital. He owns me a few favors. Just don’t let her out of your sight and keep her as calm as possible. I’ll have him call you.”

“Thank you, Michael.”

“I hope everything works out, Derek. If there anything more I can do just call.”

---

The sun went down as Derek sat outside. The bright reds and oranges burst through the buildings casting shadows onto one another. Nova walked out and sat next to him distraught in her own thoughts. His heart ached for her, not wanting to deal with what happened himself.  His mind was racing for what could happen next. ‘Will we find them? Has she left the country? I have to stay sane in this one.’ he thought. If he had his way he would kill her with his bare hands. It was best to keep the authorities out of it, for Nova’s sake. If they got involved, her father’s business would suffer, which would mean more stress for his wife. He reached out and took hold of her hand and looked into her eyes. “How are you, baby?”

“I want my son,” Nova cried.

The room phone rang and they both jumped catching them off guard. “I’ll get it.” He said standing up. Nova followed suit and listened to what was said.

“Is that my father? Daddy! Where is she? Where’s my son?’ She yelled from behind Derek as he tried to calm her down.

“Yes suite 635 I’ll leave the door open,” Derek said into the phone.

Nova watched as he hung up the phone and was shocked that he didn’t let her talk to her father. “I wanted to talk with him. Why didn’t you give me the phone? My baby is with her and you didn’t let me speak to him?” she said yelling.

Derek grabbed hold of her and hugged her tightly. “Shh…it wasn’t your father. Nova, please go get some rest I’ll wake you when your father gets here.”

“I want my baby, I want my son. I’m going to kill her for making me go through this!” She cried. “I want Alex!”

The door opened and Derek looked as Michael’s friend walked into the room. Derek waved him over and pulled Nova away. “Nova this is Kevin Korkisky. He is a friend of Michael.”

Kevin held out his hand and looked at Nova closely. By first glance he could tell she was distraught and was in much need of sleep. “Hello Nova. How are you? Derek tells me that you’re not sleeping.”

Nova looked suspiciously at the two men. “What is this? Why is he here, Derek?”

“Baby he’s only here to help.”

“Help with what. I’m not insane, my son is missing. And that woman has him!” She snapped and gave them both slit eyes.

“Nova you need some sleep. Derek here is very worried about you and maybe you need something to relax,” Kevin said.

“Don’t you touch ME!” She pulled away from him. “My son is missing and you want me to sleep!”

“Nova honey, please it’s been a long day and you haven’t slept in 20 hours.” Derek stepped closer to her.

“Neither have you!”

“I can’t sleep knowing you haven’t slept. Once your father gets here we will know more.” He said as Doctor Korkisky took a syringe from his medical bag.

“What do you think you’re doing with that?”

“I’m just going to give you a light sedative. It will make you sleep.”

“I don’t need a sedative. NOW GET OUT!” she yelled. Derek grabbed hold of her and held her tight as Doctor Korkisky stepped closer to her. “Let me go! Let me go!” she tried to fight his grip. Korkisky quickly administrator the sedative and Nova began to feel groggy. “Derek, why?” she said as she drifted off to sleep.

“I’m sorry Nova. But you need to sleep,” He said as her body fell into his arms. Derek picked her up and carried her into the room. Placing her on the bed, he covered her and went back into the room. “Thanks’ doc. I really hated to do it. But she is a wreck and hasn’t slept in hours.”

“You know she’s going to be really mad when she gets up!”

“I’ll deal with that when the time comes.”

“You look like you need sleep too. Do you need anything?” he asked Derek.

“As soon as you leave I’m lying down right next to her. I promise.” Derek said.

“Well if you need anything I’ll leave some pills here.”

“How long will she be out?” He said looking at the door to the room.

“Enough to give her a good night’s sleep.”

“Thank you once again.” He shook his hand and escorted him out the room.

Derek woke up to the ringing of the phone. He looked over and saw that Nova was still sleeping. “Hello” he said hoarsely. “Thank you.” then hung up the phone. Gently he got up and quickly took a shower. As he dried himself off he heard someone knocking on the door. Wrapping a towel around himself he went to open the door.

“Derek.”

“James, thank God! Come in.” he said as he dried his hair.

“How is she?”

“Sleeping finally. I had a doctor give her a sedative. Please give me a minute while I dress.” He said as he walked into the room. Quickly he threw on some jeans and a t-shirt and finished drying his hair.  As he walked back out to the room he asked. “Anything?”

“She has no money so she should be surfacing soon enough. My people are investigating her lawyer friend. He went to college with her. Not much of a lawyer from my understanding. He pretty much graduated almost at the bottom of the class. He’s one of those Lawyers you see advertising on television. We call them ambulance chasers. He would do anything to make money and get his name in the papers. My guess is that Sandra knew that she would never pull what she wanted with my lawyers. They would have informed me as to what she was doing. So she looked him up. A sniveling little weasel if you ask me. Once my lawyers get through with him he won’t be able to get a cockroach as a client.”

“Daddy!” they both turned to see Nova standing in the room’s doorway.

“Nova, sweetheart.” he said as he held out his arms.

She ran into her father’s arms and cried. “Why, why did she do this?”

“I don’t know honey. Your mother has been acting strange lately.”

“Nova honey, your father has been turning everything upside down to find her,” He said then asked. “How are you baby?’

“Much better Derek, but I’m mad at you for having me drugged!”

“You needed sleep.”

“Well I’m not tired anymore thanks to you and that Doctor Korkisky.”

Derek smirked a little and could see that his wife was almost back to her old self.

“Oh Daddy, I want my son back!” Nova yelled.

“I know, sweetheart and you will get him back.”

The Following day . . . .

“Hello Mr. Forrester, Please sit down. How may I help you?”

“You can help by informing me where my wife is.” James sat across from Elliott Rappenport, Attorney at law.

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“What he means is that if you don’t drop this ridiculous law suit, we will have to step in on behalf of our client, Mrs. Nova Forrester Wildstar.” Dewayne Rockfield said, one of his attorneys from James’ firm. “Now if you’re willing to take on pro bono clients, then so be it. But please be advised that when you lose, Mrs. Forrester will have no funding for you to recoup. As of 9 a.m. yesterday morning, all her funds have been frozen until further notice.”

Elliott sat behind his desk staring at James and four other lawyers standing over his desk. “What makes you think I will back down so easily?”

James leaned over to face him closer, “Because I think you’re a very smart man. Sandra is not in her right mind right now. She is going through a tough time. I believe the doctor calls it empty nest syndrome. Now you can bring in your specialist to contradict what my doctors will say. But I don’t think you want to put her through that. I really don’t think that she will be able to be cross examined by anyone.”

“I see,” he said. understanding that they would crush him in court.

“Then we have an understanding?” James said.

“Very clearly, thank you gentlemen.” He stood up and shook their hands. “I will inform Mrs. Forrester to contact you as soon as possible when I hear from her.” And with that they all left.

Two days later . . . .

“James,” He heard her voice come through the phone.

“Where the hell are you!?” He snapped into the phone.

“Calm down. I got your message!”

“Sandra, you better come back now. Your daughter and her husband are worried sick for their son,” He said softly through gritted teeth.

“Alex has been asking about his mother.”

“Where the hell are you, Sandra?”

“James please don’t be angry. I was only doing what I thought was best for Alex.”

“By kidnapping our grandson you’ve alienated our only daughter. Sandra, you’ve gone too far this time. Lucky for you I have managed to keep the authorities out of this. But I can’t say much for your daughter and son-in-law. They might just press charges and I don’t blame them. What were you thinking?”

“That man was going to take our only grandson into space. I couldn’t let him do that. He was taking him to see both those alien monsters!”

“You are not his mother.”

“And you think that she is capable to make decisions? I have spoken to a lawyer and we have a case. We can claim that they are not fit to raise him . . . .”

“I have spoken to your little friend Sandra and he has decided that he is too busy to take on the case. Now I suggest that you come home.”

“But James, I’m only doing what was best for Alex.” She said feeling defeated. She knew that he would cut her off but she didn’t expect him to cut off her private funds.

“Where are you, Sandra?” he snapped.

“Fine, I’m staying over at the Holsten.”

“The Holsten, that’s in Massachusetts. What the hell are you doing there?” feeling himself get angry he turned away from Nova and Derek and spoke more harshly at her. “Don’t you move Sandra, I’m on my way,” James hung up the phone and grabbed his jacket.

“Daddy, where are you going?” Nova asked suspiciously.

Giving her a kiss on the forehead he told his daughter. “I have to go to the firm they want to go over some leads. You stay here with Derek just in case she calls. I love you sweetheart.” then left the room.

She opened the door slowly and he marched in. His face showed signs of stress and anger. “Where is he?”

“Alex dear your grandfather is here to see you,” She called out.

“Gandpa!” he yelled with excitement. “Ganma and me had been on an adventure. We are hiding from the bad aliens.”

“You have, well I’m here to bring you home to your parents.” He smiled at his grandson. “Why don’t you get your things and we can all go to see them?”

“Okay, is ganma coming too?”

“Oh yes she is. She has to explain how the mission went.” He glared in her direction making her squirm where she stood. “I’ll have the hotel send over your things to the Ritz. Now your daughter is waiting patiently for her son.” He said as Alex entered the room. “Ready, Alex?”

“Yes ganpa, I can’t wait to tell mom and dad about my adventure with ganma.”

“ALEX! My baby!” Nova took hold of her son and held him tight. Derek kneeled down next to them hugging them both. Tears streaming down her face she kissed her son profusely making him cringe with every kiss. “I miss you so much.”

“Mommy, yuck.” He tried to wipe the kisses from his face then noticed her tears. “Why are you crying, mommy?”

“Oh honey, I just missed you so much.” She began to wipe the tears away.

“That’s silly.” He laughed.

“Hey there, kiddo. Why don’t you come help me pack so we can go home?” Derek said as he messed up his hair.

“O K, dad.” He smiled at his dad while they made their way into the room.

Nova stood up and looked at her mother with slit eyes.

“Nova, I was only doing what I thought was right,” Sandra tried to say when Nova slapped her hard across the face.

“Don’t you ever come near me or my child AGAIN!” Nova barked.

“But Nova, sweetheart, please!” Sandra begged.

“Have you no idea what I have been through? What you put me and Derek through!!” She shouted. “You’re lucky that we didn’t call the authorities on you. For daddy’s sake, we refrained from doing so. Not to mention what Derek wanted to do to you. He wanted to hunt you down and kill you, but he didn’t for my sake!”

“Nova, how was I supposed to allow you to send your 3 year old son into space to meet those alien monsters Namir and Desslok? You’re not in your right mind. Even after he allowed you to go into space and get captured by that monster Hindleman, you still stay with him!”

“That’s because I love him, you crazy old bat! And….he didn’t allow me to go into space. It’s my job! You have crossed the line. You can count on never seeing him ever again!” Nova pivoted and turn to head into the room.

“Nova, darling please . . .” she began to move forward when her husband stepped in front of her.

“Let it go, Sandra. She needs time to cool down which may take a few years. And let’s hope that it’s only a few years.”

Derek walked out with his son first with Nova behind them. “Derek please, I never meant to hurt . . .”

“Don’t, Sandra. We’re leaving!” Derek hissed. “I suggest that you stay out of the way or I can’t be responsible for what I’ll do to you.”

“James!” she cried.

“You brought this on yourself, Sandra, “ James said. “Now let them go home. Nova…sweetheart . . .”

“I’ll call you when we get home, Daddy, thank you.” She kissed her father on the cheek and took hold of her son’s hand. “Give your grandfather a kiss, Alex.”

“And ganma too?”

Nova nodded her head “Yes, her too,” as Derek stood guard near his son.

“Goodbye Alex, I’ll come visit you in a couple of months.” His grandfather said as he hugged him goodbye.

“Bye ganma. I had so much fun.” He smiled wide at his grandmother.

“Good bye, sweetheart.”

“Will you come visit me too, when ganpa comes?”

She looked up to Nova and Derek who showed no sign of emotion. “We will see. I love you Alex, never forget that.”

“Love you too, ganma.”

“Alex baby, come on we have to get back home.” Nova said

“Why don’t you and Alex go on ahead and I’ll meet you downstairs.” Derek said. Nova nodded then turned to leave with her son in tow. Derek stood face to face with his mother-in-law.

“Derek, I never meant to  . . .”

“Save it for someone who cares, Sandra. I was hoping that one day we could come to an understanding for Nova and Alex’s sake. But what you did to us is beyond words. I love Nova with all my heart and to see her like that tore me apart. You have no idea what you put her through. I can understand that you may not like me but your own daughter?!!” With his fists clenching, Derek stood back in order to compose himself. “Goodbye Sandra, if I see you in the distant future it will be too soon.”

“Oh God, Derek please let me explain.” She tried to take hold of his arm.

Pulling away Derek turned to her, “Don’t touch me and stay away from my family!” He said slamming the door behind him.

“Oh James, what have I done?”

He watched as his wife sat down and cried. It would take all he had to get Nova to forgive her. “Sandra, you have to give them time.”

“But she doesn’t want to see me again!”

“What did you expect!?” he yelled his patience already wearing thin. “For God’s sake, Sandra, you took their son and threatened to take him away. I don’t blame them if we never see him again. You’d better do everything in your power to get back into our daughter’s life. Or you won’t have to worry about seeing them again. I will have you committed for life. SO FIX IT! STARTING TODAY!”

Derek sat quietly as he watched Nova fussing over their son. Their car drove slowly through traffic towards the airport to catch the next flight back to Great Island. Giggling as his mother tickled and kissed him, Alex laughed out loud, happy to be back with his parents. Derek looked away towards the sea of cars passing by their limo. His mind wondering about the last week, to see his wife smiling again was more then he could ask for after what happen between them. His thoughts were cut short when he felt her arm wrapping around his shoulder. “Hey, what were you thinking about?” Nova said.

“Nothing, just can’t wait to get back home.”

“Derek, I just don’t know what she was thinking.”

“Nov, we can talk about it later.” He nodded in the direction of their son.

Nova smiled at Alex while the car came to a stop in front of the airport. The driver walked around and took out their luggage. Nova took hold of their son and they all went in.

---

24 hours later the plane landed on Great Island and they finally were home. Feeling the exhaustion from the week Derek put his son down to sleep and walked back into the living room where he found Nova sitting down crying.

Quickly he took her in his arms and began to console her. “It’s over, he’s home now and we don’t ever have to go through that again.” With a gentle touch he took hold of her face “Nov, I know she is your mother but as far as I’m concerned, I’d rather not have her near us again. Your father is more than welcome here but she can go to hell.”

“I love you Derek, you have been very patient through all this. Thank you for being such a rock for me. And you’re right I don’t think I can have her around us. I would keep thinking that she would try to take him again. I only feel for my father, because of her he will have to suffer in seeing Alex.”

“It’s late babe, and it’s been a long week. Why don’t we just go to bed?” He didn’t want to start a fight with her so it was best to get some rest and talk more in the morning.  She felt her body aching for sleep and followed him to their room. Within minutes they were both sleeping.

Months later . . . . .

“Hello?”

“Hello Derek, I need for you to . . . .” was the only thing she could say when he hung up the phone.

“Who was that, Derek?”

“It was her again. I’m assuming she’s not getting it.” He said annoyed.

“I’ll answer it next time.”

“Why does she continue to call? Haven’t we told her enough times not to call here?  Either tell her once and for all we don’t want her in Alex’s life or I’m changing the number,” He snapped.

“Derek I understand your anger, but please don’t take it out on me. She’s only trying to apologize!”

“Are you caving in to her?” he looked at her astonished.

“NO! But she is still my mother no matter what she has done.  I’m not defending her if that’s what you’re thinking. But please just let me handle this?”

“Fine, but don’t get me in the middle of it. You know that I have tried to make life easy for you and her, but I’m not doing it anymore.  I’ve had it with her and her nutty ways. I don’t want her near my son. Do I make myself clear?”

With frustration she stood up and looked him straight in the eyes. “The last time I checked he is my son too! I know this because I gave birth to him. I was the one that was on the table feeling pain that I couldn’t even describe let alone you can handle. And don’t you ever order me around we’re not on ship and you’re not my commandeering officer here. This is our house as husband and wife, not officers! Do I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR!”

He stood taller, not backing down. “No you’re right about being officers. But I have a say in our son’s life just as much as you, Nova!  Your mother is not dealing with a full deck and I don’t want her around MY son!” he yelled back. She stared at him with hatred. Feeling her eyes burn at him he took a deep breath. “Look it’s been weeks and we still haven’t come to terms with this. I’m not going to sit here and say I love your mother. She hasn’t been the warmest of people towards me. God knows why, but I love you and I really don’t want to argue with you anymore. Please can we just get past this and go on with our lives.” He said, “I’m sorry.”

Sighing out loud she knew that getting mad at him would only cause another fight. Something they both have been doing since their return back from the States. “No Derek I’m sorry, she’s putting a strain on us. I’ll handle her the next time she calls. Then we can change the number. I promise.”

“You don’t have to do that. But you deal with her! I don’t want any involvement with her.”

“I will. I’m so sorry that you married into my nutty family. I really have no clue as to why she is so hell bound to hurt you. She has been so unsupportive to me about us, and I just can’t seem to understand why she disapproves of you. I thought she liked you in the beginning and now it seems like she is always suggesting to me to come home to the States.” Hearing her speak he could tell that it hurt her that her mother was being so difficult.  He wanted so much to make everything right for her. He gave her a hug and a gentle kiss on her forehead. “I love you, Derek,” Nova said.

“Love you too.” He said giving her another kiss and a hug. “Well back to work tomorrow I guess.  I hate to go back after our long holiday.”

“What holiday? It was more of a fiasco then anything.”

“Come on baby, we at least had one good week. Don’t you think?”

She smiled wide about the week they had. “It sure was, but next time we either take Alex or we have someone we can trust watch him. Deal?” she said as she stuck out her hand to him to shake.

“That’s a deal, Mrs. Wildstar.” He shook her hand then pulled her close to him once again.

---

The end . . . . .

Stay tuned for the next chapter of their life when a certain someone returns to create a little havoc in Nova and Derek’s life.

Next story  . . . . . Returning Bad News