Stranded

by Chance Carter

  I narrow my eyes, knowing it’s only a matter of time before someone cracks and Cameron peeks out though her fingers. “Aha!” I point to her, making her jump, “What do you know! You have to tell me!”

  “Oh, okay fine!” Cameron says, “But you didn’t hear it from me.”

  She is so easy to break. I know she can’t resist gossiping.

  “Mark told me that Joe told him Julia has been trying to get in contact with him. Phoning him and stuff. For the last week now.”

  “Why wouldn’t he mention it to me?” I say, dropping down on the bed.

  “Wait, have you all been discussing this in front of Marnie?”

  Cam, sat up, “It was kind of an accident, when Marnie told us who the woman at the door was, I just blurted it out.”

  “It’s okay, Ella. And thank you for not letting her in the house.”

  Kat spoke up, “Listen L, he probably didn’t mention it because he didn’t want to worry you. I’m sure he can handle it, whatever it is,” Kat says, stroking my shoulder.

  “I’m sure you’re right,” I smile.

  But I can’t help the feeling that it isn’t going to be good.

  Chapter 26

  Joe

  “Hey, Ash, did you get a chance to sort out my schedule?” I ask my assistant, as I come out of my office.

  My assistant Asher has been getting along a lot more confidently recently, and he’s made a lot of friends here. I think the trouble he had early on was mainly because when he started here he was stressed about his wedding, which was just around the corner.

  Now that he’s back from his honeymoon, he’s chatting up a storm and has gained some confidence. I’m glad that he’s managed to fit in.

  Right now, he’s chatting with a small group of employees as they look through his wedding photos.

  “Afternoon, Joe!” he says cheerfully, as the others disperse, ready to go home. “I did manage to move a few things around to make it a little easier on you next week.”

  “That’s great news. Thank you!”

  “Would you like to see photos from my wedding?” he asks, his hand already reaching for the album.

  “I’d love to.”

  “This is probably my favorite one.”

  He shows me a picture of him and his partner, hugging after just getting married. They’re outside in the sun with lots of white chairs and a small gazebo.

  “You both look very happy.”

  “It was wonderful, and the honeymoon was incredible!” he says, packing the book into his bag. We then turn to leave the building together.

  “What about you, Joe? How are things with your new lady friend?”

  “Things are great, actually.”

  “Are you thinking about popping the question?” he asks, excitedly.

  “Uh—” I freeze, “Well, we’re just taking things slowly at the moment. I wasn’t even planning on doing that interview, and exposing her to public scrutiny.”

  “But that guy at the bar forced it, really. Honestly, I can’t imagine my partner getting into a fight for me. It’s so romantic,” he sighs, dreamily.

  “I don’t know what I was doing, to be honest. But the idea of him bothering her just made me so angry.”

  My limousine pulls up to drive me home, and I wave to Asher.

  “Oh and I’m sorry for keeping everyone so late today.”

  “It’s fine, really. Don’t even worry about it. We’ve all got deadlines we need to make. And I am sure you’d rather home too, right.” He winks at me as I step into the car.

  I think about our conversation earlier. I’ve only just told Ella how I feel, I can’t go straight ahead and ask her to marry me! We decided to take things slowly.

  But I suppose I do want to, at some point. How much different would it be if we got married? I mean we’re already dating and living together. She even brings me breakfast in the mornings now. I guess one thing that would change is that we’d sleep in the same bed every night. And I suppose we’d think about having kids.

  How can I be thinking about another child when I’ve got Marnie? Actually, I think Marnie already thinks of Ella as part of the family, and if we got married she really would be, and that would mean a lot to me. Anyway it wouldn’t be starting a new family, it would be adding to the one I already have.

  I stare out of the window for a moment, the fading bruise still lingering around my eye.

  Given the chance, I would be an amazing husband for her.

  And I would spend so much on an incredible ceremony. I’d make it all about her. Then the honeymoon… I’d plan an incredible trip, skiing, or a beach resort, or maybe I’d take her around the world. Amsterdam, Paris, Rio. It would all be a surprise. I would love to see the excitement on her face.

  Then, when the excitement settles, we’ll be in our house together—our home. We’ll drop Marnie off at school, I’ll go to work, and what will Ella do? I’ll help her get a job as a teacher. I know she’d love that, and she’s got all the best qualities for it. Honestly I don’t know why she isn’t a teacher right now.

  Then, after work we’ll come home, and after Marnie goes to sleep we’ll curl up on the sofa and watch a movie. Then, I’ll take her up to bed and we’ll make love like it is our last day on earth.

  I sigh for a moment, having made my fantasy a little too vivid. Home isn’t too much farther now. I can’t wait for a coffee. I love that she always has one made for me when I get back.

  I step out of the car and wave goodnight to my driver, heading straight for the kitchen. Ah, there’s my coffee. I pour a cup and relax, leaning back on the counter. I would be able to get this amazing coffee all the time if Ella and I were married.

  Marnie heads into the kitchen with a glass, and it looks like she hasn’t even noticed me.

  “Hey Marnie, what are you doing up?” I ask her.

  “I’m just getting a glass of water,” she says sleepily.

  “Why didn’t you ask Ella to get it for you? Isn’t she awake?”

  Marnie shakes her head and yawns, “She went to sleep an hour ago. The baby was making her really tired.

  Marnie sips the water slowly and pours a little into the bowl that she keeps her Venus fly trap in.

  “Sorry, Marnie?” I run up to her and crouch down, “What did you just say? About, a baby?”

  She seems to wake up as she freezes and stares at me, wide-eyed, “I didn’t say anything about any baby.” She tries to run, but I grab her and pull her back over to me, “But Dad, it’s way past my bedtime,” she whines.

  “No way. You’re not getting out of this, and if it’s a joke I’m going to throw you in the pool, got it?”

  “Uh, well um,” she stutters as I hold my gaze on her. “Well okay, but please, Daddy, please, please, please don’t tell Ella that I told you. You have to keep it a secret!”

  “Okay, I promise.”

  “She’s says she’s going to have a baby and it’s going to be a little brother or sister for me! And that she’s going let me babysit because of how grown up I am.”

  I fall back on to the floor and sit with my legs crossed, unable to process the moment.

  “But don’t tell her okay! She wants to tell you herself,” Marnie says, as she runs back up the stairs.

  “Ella,” I say to myself, “She’s… she’s pregnant?” I know there is no one else here, but it’s like I’m asking the universe if it could really be true.

  I’m going to have another child! A little piece of Ella.

  Well, that settles it. Now I’ll definitely marry her. I’m not going to let her have this baby alone. She deserves my support, and I have to show her that I’m in this for the long run, that I’ll be there for her through thick and thin, no matter what happens.

  I get up off of the floor and step into my office. As my computer starts up I relax back into my chair and slowly sip my coffee.

  I’m going to be a dad again, a second time father, and Marnie’s going to love having a younger sibling for
sure. I hope this doesn’t get out too early. I want to make the pregnancy as easy as possible on her. I’ll be there whenever she needs me and get her anything she wants, any weird thing she might crave. I’ll cater to her every need.

  Why? Because I love her! She’s the woman for me, and she’s carrying my child. I’m gonna make her the happiest woman alive.

  So, what should I search first? Baby stuff or an engagement ring?

  Baby stuff it is. She should move into my room and make her room the nursery, since mine is bigger.

  As I look through pages and pages of cots, quilts, onesies and such, I start to feel nostalgic for when Marnie was first born. Back in the apartment that Julia and I had together. It feels like such a long time ago. The late night feedings that I always ended up doing, hours and hours alone with her when it seemed like Julia didn’t even want to have a child.

  I’m glad I’m away from it, though I wish Marnie could have had someone like Ella around when she was little.

  I open up another tab on my browser and browse the jewelry stores in town and all the way up to New York. I’ve got to find the perfect ring… something old fashioned I think… and really classic. Like her classic beauty. With sapphires… I want it to match her eyes. Her gorgeous eyes.

  Chapter 27

  Joe

  “So, Ash, can you look at this and tell me what you think?” I turn my computer screen around so my assistant can look at the ring I intend to get for Ella.

  “Oh my, it’s beautiful. But, as you know I’m already taken,” he laughs.

  I roll my eyes, “I’m thinking about getting it for Ella. One of the shops a few blocks away has it in stock.”

  Ash sighs dreamily, “Joe, I’m so happy for you! When are you thinking of asking her?”

  “Soon, very soon. I’ve just got to think of the perfect moment. Maybe I’ll make her a romantic dinner. Just the two of us, candles and flowers. No interruptions. I think she’d like that. She’s not one for huge displays.”

  “That sounds so romantic! My other half proposed to me as we were walking through the park where we first met!”

  “That sounds so nice.”

  “Oh it was. The people around us noticed and they all applauded!”

  “I don’t know if Ella would like that. She gets embarrassed easily!” I can feel my face going red just talking about her.

  “Well, I can tell how much you like her. You haven’t stopped talking about her since you announced your relationship in that magazine!”

  “Yeah, sorry about that.”

  “No, please don’t apologize! When it’s love it’s love! You can’t help shouting it from the rooftops, or to a journalist,” he laughs, making me a little more embarrassed, “Now, go on and buy her that ring. We’ve got everything under control here!”

  “Thanks, Ash.”

  The store isn’t too far from here, so I don’t mind walking, it’s a really nice day for it as well. I can’t wait to see her face when I propose. I hope she’s happy. She hasn’t told me about the baby yet, but I only just found out. She must be trying to think of the perfect way to tell me.

  Am I going too fast? I hope I’m not scaring her away. Maybe I shouldn’t ask her so soon. Maybe I should wait for her to come to me. She’ll tell me eventually and after the dust has settled I can pop the question.

  Hmm. I wonder if you can get blue roses. I’m sure you can get blue something.

  I walk up to the counter and the sales assistant greets me cheerfully.

  “Hi there, my name is Joe Abercrombie. I spoke to someone here on the phone,” I say, politely.

  “Ah yes, Mr. Abercrombie. I have the piece you were looking for right here.”

  He bends down and takes out a small black box. When he opens it up and shows me the ring, I see a very petite silver band with a large diamond in the middle, surrounded by smaller sapphires.

  I imagine Ella’s eyes reflected in it when she first sees it in the box, the look of love and excitement on her face and the tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks. I slowly wipe them away and bring her lips to mine for a tender kiss as she whispers her assent. Yes, Joe. Of course I’ll marry you.

  “It’s perfect,” I say, “I’ll take it!”

  “Excellent choice,” the assistant says, “One of a kind. Your intended will be so pleased.”

  I reach in my pocket for my wallet and suddenly panic, I search through my jacket and realize I’ve left my it on my desk.

  “Gosh, this is very silly of me, I seem to have left my wallet back at the office.”

  The assistant snaps the box shut, “How unfortunate.”

  “Is there any way you can hold it for just a few minutes while I go and grab my wallet?” I ask, mentally kicking myself.

  “I am sorry, but I cannot hold such an expensive item without a deposit,” he replies.

  Crap. “Well, I’ll be right back, and I’m going to buy that ring.” I almost run out of the shop and back to my office. I have to have this ring. It’s perfect and I won’t settle for anything less. Ella deserves perfection.

  * * *

  I leave my office, my wallet securely in my jacket pocket, and I find myself desperately hoping that forgetting my wallet will be my only setback for today. The sight of my ex-wife standing outside my building makes me realize it was a foolish hope.

  “Hello Joe,” she says, looking down her pointed nose at me.

  “Julia,” I reply.

  “What, aren’t you pleased to see your wife?” she asks. I roll my eyes and proceed down the street, “Where do you think you’re going?”

  I stop, realizing I can’t go and buy an engagement ring with my ex-wife in tow. She’d ruin the moment for me, and for Ella.

  She laughs smugly, “That’s what I thought.”

  “What do you want?” I ask.

  “What every wife wants, her loving husband by her side,” she says, in a sickeningly sweet voice.

  “You do realize that you’re my ex-wife.” I square up to her. I’m not going to let her bully me like she did when we were married. “You have no reason to be here.”

  “Oh, but I do, Joe. Do you remember the message you left me a few weeks ago? It’s good that you kept my number.”

  I sigh. I knew she’d be angry, but I didn’t think she’d go to these lengths. She holds up her phone and plays a phone message.

  Julia? It’s Joe. I’m not going to be paying for you anymore. I’ve met someone else now and you should too. Manipulate someone else into funding your life for you.

  She shakes her head, walking slowly around me like a teacher punishing a student.

  “What happened to our agreement?” she asks.

  “As I told you, I can’t do it anymore. It’s stupid,” I reply. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got somewhere to be.” I make a dramatic turn away from her and start back down the street.

  “You know I met your little girlfriend yesterday,” she says, stopping me in my tracks, “I thought that would get your attention.”

  “What did you say to her?” I square up to her again, almost unable to contain my anger, not just at the mere sight of her, but at the thought that she would even show her face in my new life, to Ella.

  “Oh nothing, just that I wanted to talk to my husband.”

  “Ex-husband.”

  I think back to last night, Ella wasn’t as warm and cuddly as she usually is when we’re in bed together, and she was very quick to fall asleep. She didn’t seem to want to talk about anything that had happened during the day.

  It took me a while to fall asleep without her.

  “Stay away from her,” I say, as calmly as possible.

  “Or what, you’ll cut me off?” she shrugs.

  I shake my head and walk away. I’m not going to spend my time enabling a crazy woman, when I could be buying a ring for the mother of my unborn child.

  As I head into the jewelry store I lock eyes with the cashier, and something seems a little off. He looks almost�
� frightened?

  “Sorry, I got held up, I have my wallet now. Can I please buy the ring?” I ask.

  “I’m terribly sorry, Mr. Abercrombie, but that piece was purchased just moments after you left,” he says, almost trembling.

  “What? By whom?” I snap, slamming my hand on his desk.

  “That woman, over there.” He points to my ex-wife and she covers her mouth and gasps in mock surprise.

  “Oops. Guess you kind of have to talk to me now,” Julia whines, “Or your little girlfriend won’t get her ring.”

  I walk out of the store and stand face to face with her.

  “What do you want?” I ask.

  “Come to dinner with me Joe,” that’s all I ask.

  She grins and coils her arm around me like a snake does its prey, “I’ll even let you chose the place.”

  * * *

  As we sit down at a nearby restaurant, I notice that I am getting odd looks from random strangers. I’m used to this kind of thing, but people are giving me rude stares and awkward glances, like they know I’m doing something wrong. It’s going to be hard to explain all of this away.

  How am I going to explain any of this to Ella? I’m heading down a dark path that I could easily resolve by walking out the door right now.

  Except that I’m not leaving.

  The waiter comes over and Julia picks up the menu, but before she has a chance to answer, I order for her.

  “She’ll have a salad and we’ll have some water for the table please,” I say.

  “Very good.”

  The waiter takes the menus and leaves.

  “Oh, you never let me have any fun,” she rolls her eyes.

  “I seem to recall that you having too much fun is the reason we got divorced in the first place.”

  “Yeah, but you still never let me. I just did it anyway.”

  “What do you want, Julia?”

  “I said that I wouldn’t come near you or your daughter if you paid me enough money. You broke the agreement, so I want to see my daughter.”

  “Julia, I made that call because you’ve been trying to contact us. You said you wanted nothing to do with us!”

  “Well, circumstances have changed haven’t they?”