She figured she could get down to the hospital's ATM machine and get the money out of her own account then just reimburse herself when Mr. Parker decided in her favor, if he didn't then she would discuss having him reimburse her. Ms. Reed agreed to this and Nicole gave her the address of the hospital. When she hung up, she found her phone book and called the bank to find out that Marvin had put a stop payment on all the last months' checks she had sent out and withdrawn all the money from the accounts and closed them.
She immediately called Armando Bellini to alert him of this fact. Armando assured her he would be on the next Bellini jet to Detroit by the morning no later, and if she could meet him at the hotel so they could discuss what had happened. She had informed him that she had not heard from Parker Mills yet, but would know by then end of the day what the decision would be.
Armando had no doubt Mr. Mills would join her. She was honored by his support in the matter. Once she got off the phone with him, she spoke with the doctor who as always had disappointing news. He gave Nanna less than three days.
"Especially if we don't put her on the machine."
Nicole cried a little for her grandmother knowing this last episode had definitely put Nanna very close to death's door and soon she would be joining Grandpa and Ecole. She remembered Nanna's words of encouragement and how she had never really got to tell her about Ethan.
When she had gone to her the next night Nanna had only said whatever Nicole chose she should be happy with the decision. "It doesn't matter about his past, Nicole nor about what the future holds. If at the present he makes you happy, allow yourself to trust what you feel. Allow him to make you happy and if you think he could make you happy for the rest of your life, and then let him. Never deny the pleasures of life because they are so few and so very frequent."
Curling up in the chair, she fell a sleep thinking about Ethan and their night together. Going to him had been the best decision. She felt so open and free and the pains of yesterdays were gone away. Nicole was ready to live and love...she just wished she didn't feel she could live and love Ethan for the rest of her life.
When they took away the lunch tray for Nicole, she was surprised to see her mother standing at the doorway looking at the bed. Nicole stiffened knowing Lynne had not seen her yet because she was seated behind the door. Stepping fully in the room and letting the door closed, Lynne gasped as she laid her eyes on Nicole.