Let Me Help You, Good Doctor Ch. 06

The next couple of weeks have been a little hectic. Dominique threw herself into the wedding planning mode. She didn't know what brought on this sudden burst to work on it, but she did. She look up a couple of themes and Candy loved the red carpet theme; Dominique knew that would be easy to portray and she was a little excited about doing it. This was going to be a beautiful wedding; that is if it would happen. She was still content on getting involved with Jason. She just has been distracted lately, by Nik.

Nik. Nik. Nik. It seemed like her brain was focused on him 24 hours a day. The next morning after he spent the night, she woke up again his warm, safe embrace. She planted soft kisses on his lips, losing herself in the innocent gesture. He finally returned the kisses, with his own eager ones. They didn't have sex but just making out that morning was such a turn on. She didn't want to let him go and that confused her even more. When she was around him, her head went all loopy, so she purposely spent some time away from him. He called her a couple of times but she made sure not to stay on the phone long. Now was the perfect time for her to focus on Jason.

She was at the office, getting ready to see Mr. Lawson. She sighed to herself because as she was jotting down notes, her mind would go back and think about feeling Nik's arms around her and Nik's kiss, especially the ones that made butterflies flutter in her stomach and her head cloudy.

"Oh for goodness sakes, girl!" Dominique shouted dropping her head on the desk, "It's not that serious." She kept repeating in her head hoping it would catch up somewhere.

She needs to get control of herself, "Dr. Grant, Mr. Lawson is here to see you." She heard Nicole through the intercom.

"Send him in." Dominique said as she got herself together.

She would just have to put all thoughts of Nik out of her mind. It was no use to entertain any thoughts of them. The two of them didn't belong together, there was no way. They were two different people and not only that, they were heading in two different directions. Nik just needed to find him a nice little Italian girl. She swallowed hard trying to push the idea of Nik with another girl.

Mr. Lawson walked in with a goofy smile on his face and he looked a lot more relaxed. Well, seems like she wasn't the only one that had a good couple of days.

"Mr. Lawson, good to see you back." She smiled.

"Yea, how was your vacation?" he smiled taking a seat.

"It was good, but we are here to talk about you." She reminded.

"Oh well, I am good. I'm coming here to see if you do marriage counseling or can you recommend someone to me and my wife."

Dominique's mouth dropped, "So you have been talking to your wife?"

"Well that Nik fellow that was here, was right. I tried the ignoring thing and after three days, I came home and there was candle light dinner and my wife in sexy lingerie waiting for me. She fed me dinner and ran a bubble bath for me. You can guess what happened afterward." He said as a wide smile spread across his face, "We did that for a couple of nights straight, then we started talking and I realized how much I missed the way my wife use to be. I realized I was using Angel to replace her when all I wanted was my wife. We are pretty good now, but we thought we may need to talk to someone just to see where it went wrong so it doesn't happen again."

"You know I think that's an excellent idea and I am so proud of you. Have you talked to Angel since?"

"Just to apologize to her and I told her that things were going to change now. I just feel so much better doctor. Not just because of the sex but I feel like I have my loving wife back."

"Well, I'm glad. This is what I want you to do, talk it over with her, call my office and we can set an appointment for you both."

"Great, thank you so much and tell your friend I said thanks too. He must really know women."

"Actually I think he specializes in them." She walked him out to the door, shaking her head.

"Well, he was great. I will see you when Lillian and I agree on a time." He waved to Nicole just before jumping on the elevator.

"That was quick and he was very happy." Nicole smiled.

"Yea, he got his wife back. Anyway, how you do on your test?"

"Great, I got an A and I think I know what I want to major in." she smiled.

"I thought you were going to be a doctor?"

"Well, I want to be a specific type of doctor and I think I want to go into sports medicine. You know, helping athletes with injuries and things like that."

"I think that would be great, are you going to try for a local team?"

"Yea or work at the university, I'm not sure yet but that's what I want to do."

"I think that would be a great idea. I'm glad to hear that sweetie."

Nicole smiled uncomfortably and looked off, "Dominique, can I talk to you about something a little personal?" she said softly and Dominique couldn't help but smile.

"Sure, let's go in my office, these shoes hurt my feet." Nicole laughed as they both walked in her office, "What's on your mind?"

"Gale. I know what she did was wrong and I pretty much forgiven her for what she did to Jade. I know she thinks that she did what was best and I still love her. She wasn't always like this, she was a little happier. I just don't want to believe what happened between her and Patrick."

"Well from what I heard about them, they were a very serious couple. It can be horrible to break up with someone, especially when you were engaged."

"It makes no sense though; he was happy and wanted to marry her. He helped us so much when he was here. When I needed him, he was there and what we couldn't afford, he helped. Not to say it was all about the money but he was very sweet and funny. I just don't understand why you would put so much effort into a relationship when you are going to break up, especially when you ask them to marry you."

Dominique chuckled to herself, "I see you never been in a relationship before. Sometimes you put extra work into something for it to work. I don't know what was going on in his life. Did you guys?"

"He was pretty silent about his family. We knew his dad was this big time business man in Ireland and Patrick came down here for school. Other than that, he didn't go into too much detail."

"It could be something his family said too. I mean we may never know. I tried to talk to Gale about it but she just shrugged it off."

"Well, I was thinking about trying to find him just to get some answers. I think that's the least Gale deserves."

"I don't know if that is such a great idea only because we don't want to step on any toes. It could be a sensitive issue with her as we see."

"I know but now that Gale is going through her divorce, I want her to be happy with who she truly loves."

Dominique smiled at Nicole's hopeful eyes, "Nicole, you are too sweet. You really believe in love?" Dominique said looking at Nicole fidget and smile.

"Well I do watch my fair share of relationships with friends and family. I love the idea of love and its wonderful thing to experience even though it may hurt. I just hope I'm lucky enough to go through it. Have you ever been in love?"

"I have before. I had an occasion where I thought I was in love with this guy from college and he was my first. After awhile, he got on my nerves and I couldn't take it anymore. And then there is Jason; the first time I fell for him was when I was 12."

"It must be hard to plan his wedding." Dominique paused, "Good thing you have Nik." Dominique nearly swallowed her tongue at that last statement, "What? I don't have Nik. We are just friends."

"Really? I don't know because the way he looks at you is not very friendly."

"He looks at me different?" Dominique asked in disbelief and Nicole innocently nodded, "Well, um, we are just friends. I mean he is helping with some things right now but we are just friends."

"Well, I wish I had someone look at me that way. I'm use to guys ignoring me or asking me to do their homework. The only way I get some sort of attention from guys is when I run but it's mostly them cheering me to win. Some guys just suck sometimes, well accept this one." She said staring up dreamily.

"Nicole, do you have a crush?" Dominique smiled and she just giggled.

"Maybe, I mean he is funny, talented and real sweet, not to mention very hot. I don't think he even looks at me that way but I find myself constantly thinking about him."

"Really?"

"Yea, I sometimes wish he would grab me in his arms and just kiss me or kiss me all over." She said smiling brightly.

Dominique couldn't help but chuckle a little, "Wow, sounds like this guy really lights a fire for you. Who is this mystery man?" Nicole was about to open her mouth when they both turned at the knocking on the door. They both looked at each other quizzically before Nicole went over to answer the knock. Dominique didn't have any appointments scheduled now. Nicole cracked open the door.

"May I help you?" Nicole asked the woman on the other side of the door.

"Yes, I need to speak with Dr. Dominique Grant." Dominique heard the familiar voice but she couldn't see her.

"Well, she doesn't really have any openings for new patients right now."

"Oh, I'm not a patient; it's on a personal level. I'm Harriet Sharpe."

Sharpe?! The moment Dominique heard that name she shot up off the couch. She came up behind Nicole to confirm what she had slightly feared. There on the other side was her father's wife. As soon as she saw Dominique she gave her a small smile. What was she doing here?

"Um, Nicole, why don't you go to lunch?"

"Are you sure?" Nicole said turning back to Dominique.

"Yea and we will talk later." Nicole excused herself passing by Mrs. Sharpe.

The two women stared at each other in silence for awhile before Dominique finally spoke, "Why don't you come in?" Dominique motioned and she stepped inside looking around her office before settling on the couch.

Dominique was so confused. Did he send her here to yell at her? Well she had a few choice words that she can take back to him.

"You have done quite well for yourself. Crystal has made sure you had the best despite everything." Dominique's mouth dropped.

So she knew about her? Dominique proudly stuck her chin out and sat down on the opposite chair. She was going have to channel her strength to get through this. Dominique cleared her throat and crossed her arms in front of her.

"Yes she did. So, you knew about me and that I wasn't lying?" Dominique finally said.

"I always knew about you. I admit I haven't seen any recent pictures of you. I guess Crystal stopped sending them when you got older. At the restaurant, I knew it was you as soon as I saw you." She sighed, "I'm so sorry for what he did."

"Does he think I want something from him, because I don't. I just want some sort of acknowledgement from him. Is that so hard?"

"No, it's not. Let me tell you about him. We were dating off and on but we didn't tell anyone because I was in the military traveling all the time. I came back on Christmas of 1978 and told him I want to be serious if he was ready, if not I was moving on. He told me he loved me and wanted this to work. The next day, he moved where I was stationed."

"Christmas, that was when he left my mom." Dominique stated.

"I know. He started getting letters and things from Crystal but ignored them or threw them away. One day I happened to look into one of those letters and saw pictures of you. I confronted him about it constantly and he told me to ignore it. Finally he told me everything that happened between him and your mother. He didn't think you were his child no matter how much Crystal tried to convince him or me for that matter. So, what I did was taken a little bit of money and sent it to Crystal to help with whatever you needed."

Dominique sighed out loud running her fingers through her hair, "Why did he do this?"

"He was young and dumb. I don't know what else to say that will give you any kind of comfort. Any answer I give you is not going to give you the answers you need. Plus, you don't need to hear them from me." She stammered.

"Then why did you come?" Dominique spatted in a tone she didn't expect to come out so harshly.

It was so vindictive and malicious. Harriet cleared her throat feeling the room temperature drop, "I came to apologize. I hoped when he saw you in his face, he would have no choice but to accept you. If you give me some time to talk to him, maybe I can convince him otherwise."

Dominique looked into her eyes and saw the sincerity. She didn't have to come here, she didn't have to do anything and here she was trying to make this right. The only thing is it was coming from the wrong person. She took a deep breath, retracting the claws a little.

"I really appreciate you coming here and telling me this. It's just that I wish I could have heard everything from him. I have been waiting so long to hear from him but nothing. Why did you still help when you did?"

Harriet took a deep inhale and looked down at her hands before looking back up at her, "I'm hoping my husband does finally get it and attempt a relationship with you; not only for you but for him and for our children too. I think they deserve to know their sister." Dominique nodded and took a deep breath, "I really must be going though. I have a restaurant to get to." She stood up and Dominique stood with her.

"Thank you for everything, Mrs. Sharpe." She nodded.

"You are welcome. I'll leave you my number if you want to talk."

"I would but I don't know if that would cause problems between you and him."

"You let me deal with that." Dominique smiled as Harriet jotted down her number.

"Thanks." Dominique said taking the paper from her.

"You're welcome. Have a good day sweetie." She smiled just before leaving.

Dominique looked down at the number trying to decipher everything she said. She plopped down on the couch feeling a mixture of emotions: anger, hurt, every emotion was coming back. It was also a sense of relief that shook through her. She wanted to cry but her better senses told her not to shed one tear for him.

She heard a small knock at the door; probably was Nicole letting her know she was back. She walked over to the door and the first thing she saw was a pair of concerned green eyes. She knew exactly who it was.

"I was driving by and I saw his wife leaving, are you okay?"

She opened her mouth to say something but it wouldn't come out. She just saw him standing there and it was too much for her. She flung herself into his arms holding on to him tightly.

"What's the matter? What did she say?" he asked sensing his anger boiling.

"Just hold me please." She whispered and felt him tighten his hold around her.

She tried to hold back everything but couldn't any longer. She felt the first sting of tears roll down her cheek and plenty followed after like a flowing river. Nik felt her body shaking like a leaf in his arms and he held her tighter.

"What did she say to you?" he asked again and all Dominique could do was shake her head, "What's wrong then?"

"She just further let me know that I don't need him." She said finally pulling away from his shoulder.

"Well, we knew that. What happened between you and his wife?"

"She basically came to apologize for him and that she wishes it could be different. She left me her number but I don't think I will call her." She said reluctantly pulling out of his embrace.

"Why not? This could be your chance."

"No, everyone was right. I should not even try with him. I did my part."

"You have done more than enough. You just need to understand that sometimes the way you want people to be don't always live up to that. You know I know that for sure."

"You're talking about Gianni? Is he really getting out still?"

"I have been talking to him since we left and he still wants out. He just may have to leave town for awhile."

"You see for you Gianni came around eventually."

"He came around himself. I didn't push him and I let him figure everything out on his own. That's what you will have to do. It's going to be hard but the pay off will be bigger."

"And if my parents never come around?"

"Then you keep on the way you been. Like I told you, you have a lot of wonderful people that love and care for you."

"How come you always know the right thing to say?" she said wrapping her arms around his neck and smiling up at him.

"What can I say, it's a gift." He smiled back.

As they stared at each other, a warm feeling spread through Dominique's body. It was that same feeling where her stomach felt queasy and her vision of everything that they have done come into her head. Oh wow, this was getting so out of hand, but she couldn't really fight the pull. Dominique was going to lean in for a kiss when her phone interrupted them. Nik let out a big sigh as she looked down at her cell phone. She groaned inward as she saw who it was.

"Hey Jason." As soon as she said his name, Nik moved away from her.

"Always at the wrong time." Nik mumbled.

"Hey Dominique, are you busy right now?" Jason asked.

"Um, not really; I was just talking to Nik."

"Oh okay then you have time." He said and Dominique just blinked, "I need some help tomorrow."

"What can I do?"

"Well you know how I am as a dancer, right?" Dominique started laughing thinking about when he tried to dance back when they were younger.

"You mean to tell me you still haven't learned to dance?"

"Hey, I know I have two left feet. I want to surprise Candy and take some classes."

"Oh well I know a couple of places that are teaching them."

Nik watched Dominique talk on and on to that bothersome Jason. He will never understand the pull this guy has over her. Why was she so hug up over him? He has a feeling that Jason was a bit on the boring side and that Candy was his excitement. Why can't Dominique focus on another guy? One that will fit her? Oh well, he was sure that she would never find someone that will make her toes curl like him. He thought about that and it brought a cocky smile to his face. He pushed away from the wall he was leaning on and walked over to her like a predator after his meal. He wrapped his arms around her lower back, having her scent fill his nose. She turned to him wide eyed, wondering what he had planned since she was on the phone. He gave her that killer smirk before lowering his mouth to her neck, letting his tongue slowly glide across her neck.

Dominique bit down on her lower lip as she felt her knees start to give a little. She was lucky that he was holding her up, because she knew that she would have been on the ground. She was so caught up in what Nik was doing that she wasn't really paying attention to what Jason said.

"Dominique!" she heard him say into the phone impatiently.

"Huh?" she moaned.

"Are you going with me?"

"To where?" she said trying to push Nik away but he wasn't budging.

"The dance class; I need a partner and I want to surprise Candy."

"Um, what time does it start and what do I get out of it since you are taking a Saturday away from me?"

"Well, you get my undying love and affection." At that moment Nik nibbled on her tender spot on her neck and before she knew it, a moan escaped her lips, "What was that?" Jason said.

"I said oh." She quickly corrected trying to push Nik away as he was laughing lightly, "Yea sure I will go with you tomorrow."

"Great, I will pick you up tomorrow around one."

"Sure, yea, bye Jason." She quickly hung up the phone and pushed Nik away, "Are you out of your mind?"

"My brothers seemed to think so sometimes." He shrugged.

"I am sure now that you are a bit insane. What if he would have heard that?"

"Then it would be okay, you told him that you were with your boyfriend. What would lunch be if I was on my best behavior?"