"Sometimes, home has a heartbeat."- Beau Taplin.

Nico's POV.   

"Son." My mother said in Greek, "Are you there still?"

Sighing loudly I turned away from the view that had always offered me great pride but now the darken sky cast over the city was a perfect representation of my foul mood. The very call had my mind flashing to not long ago as a wave of déjà vu struck.

"Nico..." She called out again against my ear.

Turning back I went to retake my position behind my desk as the threat of an impending migraine pounded against my forehead.

"Yes mama." I replied.

"Your father wishes to speak with you." She informed.

"I know." I told her as a tired sigh escaped my lips.

Rubbing at my throbbing temples, I closed my eyes for a brief second but not even a moment's peace was granted to me as her beautiful face appeared behind my eyes. She was everywhere. Over two weeks had trudged by agonizingly slowly tormenting my every waking moment. Sleep had been the last thing on my mind. It was what I had deserved I kept reminding myself.

"Nico...Nico...!" Mama repeated herself saying, "Are you even listening to me?"

"I'll leave tonight Mama." I informed her as Mia entered.

"What!" I snapped irritable as she briefly jumped.

"Forgive me Mr. Kourakis but there is call waiting for you on line 2 from Mr. Demachelis." She said before slowly exiting.

Picking up the tumbler that I had initially abandoned, I took a sip of the whiskey delighting in the burn as I picked up the call.

"Buongiorno Nic." Lucas greeted, "Evelyn wishes to inform you that she is very upset you missed the birth of our daughter."

Sitting up straight, I felt the tug of my lips after many days as I listened intently to the evident joy in Lucas' voice as he retold the story.

"I can't wait to meet her." I said truthfully.

"Like-wise." He said, "And how soon do you think that will be?"

"Papa wants me to visit." I told him.

"Is this about Athena?" He questioned.

Even the mention of her name made something in my chest ache unbearably.

Not waiting for my response he went on, "I myself was in your position. So desperate I called Ethan almost midnight. Are you going to wait until midnight to deal with your problem or are you going to do something about it now? Don't let too much time pass by you Nic. You may win her over in the end but some actions you'll forever regret."

"I think I made it the worst it can be already." I found myself saying as I picked up the glass downing the remaining liquor.

"And where does that leave you?" He asked, "Drinking in your office before lunchtime on a Tuesday. You said it yourself, you made it the worst. It can get no worse than that. Turn that hurt around and show her your best. What are you so afraid of amico?" He questioned, "Love? I do not believe it. You loved her every second you spent with her here. So now what is the difference? Answer that question to yourself."

Ending the call it took all of two minutes before I left bolting out of the office.

"Have my jet ready to take off to Greece." I said to Mia as she jumped out of her seat looking at me in shock as I hurried towards the elevator shrugging my suit jacket on.

The only thing that got me through the longest three hours of my life was ibuprofen to dull the nagging throbbing in my head and the box that was tugged inside the labels of my jacket.

It was late into the afternoon when I entered the house. Not even a moment passed by when my mother came rushing towards me...

"Oh Nico." She said hugging me as I kissed her cheeks affectionately, "You are your father's son indeed. I knew you would have come. Hurry along he's awaiting you." She said tugging me forward as I entered the bedroom.

His frail body lay against the bed as he looked out at the window taking in the view of the yachts bobbing against the Mediterranean waters.

"Papa." I called out going closer to the bed as he turned my way for a brief second before turning his head back away from me.

"Sophia." He said in a frail voice that ate away at me, "Inform my son that I no longer wish to speak to him."

"Papa..." I said going forward taking his hand in mine as my heart sank even further.

"I should have allowed your mother to spank you when you were little maybe then you would not have grown up to be so naughty." He stated resting his eyes onto me.

"She could hit me now." I replied as his hands softly squeezed mine, a humorous glint entering his eyes.

"You look even worse than me." He suddenly said as his frail face morphed into a grin.

"I know." I grimaced spotting my reflection in the mirror.

"I know that look all too well. It is what I had warned you about. Did I not tell you when she is hurt you would feel the pain? What have you done Nico mou?" He asked seriously.

"I did what I thought was best." I responded in a low voice as he shook his head at me.

"And how does that make you feel?" He prodded even though he knew the answer.

"It was not fair to keep her like that papa." I said quietly.

"Nico mou, all is fair in love and war, you will learn that soon enough." He stated offering a quick glance to mama before his bright eyes riveted back unto me, "But answer me this...are you prepared to sign over the company?"

"Yes." I answered honestly.

"Why?" He pushed.

"Why?" I repeated, "Because I did not hold up my end of the deal. I gave everything I had into the company just to make you proud papa but I would sign it over now if you have the documents prepared."

"Knowing that you are giving up the company is not the reason you look like you are in physical pain. Now tell me again why you would give it up." He asked once more.

"Because..." I said pausing looking directly into sharp eyes that mirrored my own, "The company was my greatest pride. We were at risk to lose it once and I worked hard enough to ensure that would never be a possibility again. I put everything into it until I realized that I had so much wealth I did not know what to do with it anymore. Now what I had enjoyed is now a task. I hate the sight of my office. I lost something far more precious than a few buildings I would not even feel the loss when you take it away."

A look of satisfaction flinted across his intelligent eyes.

"Then answer me this son, what are you going to do about that?" He suddenly asked.

Shrugging I glanced off into the distance peering out at the water as mind wondered of to her angelic face once again. She loved the ocean.

"There is not much I can do." I replied through a voice that felt like I had swallowed gravel.

"Foolish boy." He suddenly remarked as my head whipped back to him, "I never thought you were one to give up but today you have. Remember Nico, every decision you make in life has a consequence that will either favor you or go against you. Are you prepared to let her go? To see someone else love her? To see her love someone else? Or will you finally accept what is in front of you?"

"I have hurt her in irreparable ways papa." I said softly not being able to look at him as the pain within my chest expanded.

"Nico mou, have you not yet learnt?" He asked as he recaptured my attention, "Women are filled with love. Most of that we do not deserve but they give to us anyway. If you truly love her she will forgive you. But you have hurt her. She will ache and heal in due time but you will ache all your life for one mistake. Often times we underestimate the strength of women but they are far greater than us. I am sure wherever she is that her happiness and peace has returned and yet here you are. That is the power of a woman's heart. It is a special kind of magic too good to be true. The same heart that has welcomed you in is now the same heart that will be her biggest protector. The fault is all yours. You have to battle now to get that heart to open for you once again but here is the trick. Her heart already knows your love and that only happens when two souls are meant to be one. I am the one lying on death's bed son yet you are the one who looks tortured. I have made my peace in life now you go and get yours. If you let this pass you by you will regret more than you ever knew possible." Reaching out, his smaller tanned fingers covered mine.

"I will always be proud of you Nico. When I am long gone I want you to remember that. There is one thing I will always regret though. All these years I watched you close of your heart as your mind lead the way and I should have corrected you sooner. But I will tell you this now. Lead with your heart in everything you do. Your mind will follow. You did not save the company because your mind wanted you to. You did it because you knew the effort and sacrifices it represented. How can that not be love? Love comes in many different forms. We don't always have to speak the words. Now use that same heart that I have loved you with and let it lead you to what you really want. Where is that heart pointing you towards...?" He weakly asked.

If I ever shut my eyes, it was always her face that I saw. The answer was very simple.

"To her." I responded in a clear tone suddenly gaining a sense of surety as the darkness that clouded me over the past two weeks suddenly started to disappear. Because that was what she did. Her smile, her eyes...her... brought a light that could have illuminated the world at the bleakest moment.

"I love her." I confessed as the pain within me slowly disintegrated.

"I know you would never give up." Papa responded tightening his fingers around me briefly before he let go, "Now go to her my son."

Placing a kiss onto his warm cheeks, I made my way to exit the room as he softly called my name. Turning back, a small smile flinted across his mouth as he looked my way...

"Did you really think I would have given the company to anyone? I love you gios mou."

Grinning I shook my head at his laughing eyes.

I would move heaven and earth if that was what it would take for her to come back to me.

I loved her.

And suddenly everything fell into place.

A/N: CUE THE EMOTIONS! Oh my God!!! Only ONE more chapter left till the finale and I am everywhere. Can you believe I contemplated not writing this story and then having lost it twice?! It has been one hell of a roller-coaster but sooooooo worth it. I can't wait to hear what you all think! 

Nico finally admitted how he felt but will our girl forgive him? Does he deserve forgiveness? Oh and I think Nico's father should be a philosopher (just saying ;) ) It also helps that he's Greek. 

As always vote, comment and feel free to drop a message by...you guys are the best and the sweetest and really the ones who inspire me. I am so grateful to all of you. Say a prayer for each other and then say one for the world as together we fight this virus. Stay safe everyone...ohh and of course be sure to (wash those hands first) and then proceed to check out 'THE BILLIONAIRE'S ULTIMATUM' 'THE BILLIONAIRE'S MATCH' and 'THE BILLIONAIRE'S CHRISTMAS REVENGE' available on my page. 

Stay indoors...lots of love

oxoxox...Allison :)