“Maybe she’s asleep,” Connor suggested. “When Jewel gets sick, all she wants to do is sleep.”
“Yeah, that’s probably it. Thanks.”
He tapped Connor’s back and walked passed him to his Harley. He would need to go home and check on Madison, but first he had to finish his bike. He felt sure that whatever was going on with Madison was probably nothing, but he still wanted to make sure she was okay. He kneeled down next to his Harley and picked up his wrench again.
34 The Best Day
“Come on, Madison, we need to get you home,” Callie said frantically.
“Why, what’s going on?”
“Come on,” she repeated as she smiled at Ellie, positioning her in her car seat.
“But I still need to get the food for the meal. Remember I want to make something special.”
“Madison,” she started to say when she saw a text coming through. She nodded at the message and smiled at Madison. “Let’s just go. I think the boys have made other plans.”
“Oh man, really? But,” she trailed off, not wanting to whine.
“It will be okay, Madison, but let’s go okay.”
“Alright,” Madison said hesitantly as she got in the car.
Callie practically raced towards Madison’s house. Jayden had called her and asked if Madison was okay. That Andrew had been trying to call her. She said she was fine without disclosing where they had been even though he’d asked. He then told her they were all going out to eat in celebration of some news that Andrew received. She had asked what it was but he wouldn’t tell her. Fair was fair he had informed her. He had only told her that it was Andrew’s good news to share. Before they left the parking lot, Jayden had texted her that Andrew was on his way home.
“Dude, slow down, what’s the rush?”
“Andrew’s on his way to the house.”
Madison pulled her phone out and realized she had missed a couple of calls from him. She checked her volume and saw that it was still muted from when she was in the clinic. She hated when she did that.
“I didn’t think you wanted him to find out you were pregnant without you actually being there.”
Madison looked at her quizzically and then it hit her. She had left the pregnancy test on the bathroom counter. If he saw it, he would know. She turned to Callie in a panic.
“Hurry!”
By the time they got to the house, they saw that Andrew’s Harley was already parked out front. Madison started to cry. She didn’t want to but she couldn’t stop the tears from falling. He was going to see the pregnancy test. This was their special moment and she wasn’t going to be with him when he found out.
“Madison,” Callie said, gently touching her shoulder. “Go tell him!”
Madison nodded and then quickly exited the vehicle. She ran toward the door. “Andrew,” she shouted as she stepped inside.
He walked out of the bedroom and she could tell he was worried. He saw that she was crying and immediately ran up to her. He pulled her in to his arms, trying to settle her down. Now, he was really concerned. First he found out she had called in sick and then she wasn’t answering her phone, and when he had arrived just moments before, she wasn’t at the house, which automatically sent his brain into panic mode.
“Madison, what’s the matter?” he said quickly. He couldn’t figure out his next move if he didn’t know what was going on. “They said you were sick. I came as soon as I could. Where were you?”
“I was with Callie.”
“But Jamie said you were sick.”
“I was this morning.”
“Madison,” he stepped back and held her shoulders. He kneeled slightly so they were eye level. “What the hell is going on?”
“I’m pregnant.”
“Whaaaattttt?” he asked, dropping his hands.
“I was with Callie. I had taken an over the counter test but I wanted to be sure before I told you so we went to the clinic. I wanted to plan this huge dinner for you, something special, to tell you,” she wiped under her eyes, “but now it’s all ruined and I just blurted it out, which was not what I wanted to do.” She began sniffling again.
“You’re pregnant?” Andrew asked softly.
Madison nodded. He grinned and picked her up, swinging her around before his mouth landed on hers. He kissed her passionately and then held her tightly to him. This was turning out to be the best day imaginable.
“I was worried you would find out before I could tell you.”
He chuckled against her. “How would I possibly know that, baby?”
Madison giggled and smiled up at him as he set her down. “I left the pregnancy test on the counter. You didn’t go in the bathroom?”
He shook his head. “I just got here. I looked in the bedroom. The bathroom door was wide open so I assumed you weren’t in there. I was really worried though.”
“Sorry, I didn’t expect you to be home before me.”
“Come here,” he said as he sat on the back of the couch and brought her between his legs. “I have good news too.”
“You do?”
“Do you remember me talking about a woman named Carol?”
“Your art therapist?”
He nodded. “Well, she came by the shop earlier and told me that next month four of the paintings I did while I was in treatment are going to be part of an exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.”
“Oh my god, Helios!” Madison screamed and jumped up, draping her arms around his neck. “This is amazing,” she said, kissing him lightly. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you,” he said, returning her kiss.
“Jay reserved a table at Mac’s. He wants everyone to go so we can celebrate. I called my aunt and uncle and your grandmother because I want them there when I tell them about the show,” he said with another kiss as Madison moved her hands down his chest.
“We can tell them about being pregnant as well, or should we wait?” Madison asked, while unbuttoning his jeans.
He nodded and then groaned out loudly. “We don’t have a lot of time,” he said kissing her again.
“I can make it fast,” she grinned as she pushed him backwards.
~*~
Andrew sat comfortably on the sofa while waiting for Madison to get ready, something that tended to take a long time. He smiled as his hand ran over the cushion of the couch. They had made love on this particular piece of furniture many times. He chuckled lightly as the thought came to him that they wouldn’t be able to do that much longer. He glanced toward the bathroom and heard the water go off.
“Well, that’s progress at least,” he said aloud.
He switched on the television to catch a bit of the news before they had to leave. He generally hated the news, but over the past few weeks, he was more curious about what was happening, in particular with Senator’s Bowers and Martine. Martine he had never actually seen until he was on television a few weeks ago. It had been Andrew’s guilty pleasure, watching the senators try to paint themselves as victims of Nolan’s treachery. That may have worked in the eyes of some, but there were many ethnic minority groups that were all over them. It was as if they had a personal vendetta against them. There hadn’t been anything on the news the last few days, which had caused him to feel a bit uneasy. He was starting to worry that maybe Bowers had found a way to somehow maneuver out of everything, but, much to his delight, when the commercial break was over, he saw both senators walking out of a building. They looked pissed, which caused Andrew to smile.
“Madison,” he hollered. “Come here, baby, that asshole Bowers is on the news.”
The reporter on scene began speaking. “California Senator Bowers along with his co-advisor, Senator Martine from New York, were brought before the Senate Ethics Committee today to answer charges that they pilfered monies from their STES Program, shut down centers without cause, and created dummy organizations to receive tax breaks that they themselves profited from. At this time, charges have not been brough
t against the senators, so this appears to be some form of preemptive strategy, possibly to appease the ACLU and various other social justice organizations who have been lobbying for the senators removal from office.”
You could see the newscaster pointing toward where Bowers was coming toward them. She hurriedly approached him, along with several other reporters, who swarmed around him while another set swarmed around Senator Martine. Andrew smiled, giddy with happiness.
“This is definitely turning out to be a fantastic day!”
“Senator Bowers, can we have a word?” the harried reporter asked, chasing alongside Bowers.
“Senator Bowers, did the committee elect to pursue a hearing against you and Senator Martine?” Another reporter asked.
“Senator, is there any truth to the accusation that you stole money from poor people?” Still another reporter asked.
Andrew grinned. “Yeah, Bowers. Why don’t you tell everyone what an ass you are,” Andrew said condescendingly to the television set.
“I’m innocent of all charges,” Bowers finally replied with a confidence that annoyed Andrew.
“Innocent my ass!” Andrew huffed.
“There is mounting evidence again you, Senator,” another reporter replied.
Bowers stopped suddenly, startling her. “Mounting evidence? That’s an inaccurate statement. Get your facts straight.”
“What is accurate?” another reporter chimed in, seeing an opportunity.
Bowers glared at the reporter, his lip twitched as he attempted to rein in his anger. “I am being unfairly targeted. That is an accurate statement.”
“By whom?” the first reporter asked curiously.
“Elias Bennett,” Bowers answered before slipping into his waiting car.
“Senator, Senator, one more question,” she pleaded, but it was too late, the car was already leaving.
Andrew watched as they surrounded Senator Martine, who did not respond to their questions at all. He slipped into another town car and was also off.
“What’d they say?” Madison asked as she stepped into the living room, drying her hair. “Helios?”
“He said he’s being set up by Elias,” Andrew replied, watching the reporters scramble.
“Well, that’s messed up. But,” she paused and came to sit next to him on the couch. “Elias is pretty meticulous about things. I’m sure he was prepared for Bowers to say something like that.”
Andrew started to reply but was distracted by the fact she was in a towel. He arched his brow and unwrapped it, staring at her beautiful body. His tongue passed over his lips as his index finger made a trail across her collarbone, between her breasts, and continued to move down.
“Madison,” he breathed in deeply. “This is cruel. You can’t come out here in a towel and not expect a reaction from me.”
“You called me before I could get ready, so technically,” she leaned over and pecked his lips, “your reaction is your own fault.”
She smirked at him before rising and re-wrapping her towel, turning triumphantly. Andrew watched as she strolled back to the bedroom with an extra skip in her step. He shook his head and looked down, and, with a sigh, he proceeded to readjust himself. Once he was as comfortable as he could be with a raging hard on, he grabbed the remote again. He started flipping to other channels to see if anyone else was talking about Bowers and Martine. He did find a few repeating what he had already seen, but nothing new. Finally, he landed on CNN. He stopped as they began explaining what the Senate Ethics Committee actually did. Before Andrew realized it, thirty minutes had already gone by.
“You ready to go, Helios?” Madison asked, walking into the living room.
Andrew turned and smiled. She was wearing a short black dress that flared out and her six inch black Louboutin heels. He grinned at the fact he knew the name of her shoes. Of course, the only reason he knew was because she drilled it into him, stating she would withhold sex if he called them shoes again. So he memorized the name of the designer. There was no way he was going to lose out on sex because of some shoes. He stood up and walked over to her, gently brushing her hair out of her face.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she replied shyly.
He smiled and pulled her into his arms, kissing the top of her head lightly. He knew they needed to leave shortly as he had offered to pick up Madison’s grandmother, but he wanted to hold her a bit longer. To feel how her body fit his perfectly. Her flat stomach pressed against his and he was overcome with happiness as he imagined holding her eight months from now with her belly nice and rounded. It was the most perfect thought he had ever had.
~*~
“I think it’s been, what, three years since I’ve been here?" Grans asked Madison as Andrew opened the door for them.
“We came here to celebrate Andrew’s acquittal. Remember?”
Grans rolled her eyes and Andrew smirked, they were so similar in mannerisms and attitude. He could imagine Madison being like her when she was her age.
“Of course I remember, Maddie,” Grans replied “I’m old, not senile.”
Madison grinned. “You may not be senile but you sure are feisty. Are you missing a Dodger game or something?”
“As a matter of fact, I am,” she said playfully. “Can you get the game on that fancy phone of yours?”
“Yes, I believe I can,” Madison winked and kissed her temple.
“Madison,” Callie squealed and approached them as they entered the restaurant. She kissed her cheek and then kissed Grans cheek. “I’m so glad you could be here, Grans. This wouldn’t be a celebration without you.”
“Well, thank you, dear, but what exactly are we celebrating?”
“That, I’m not entirely sure of,” Callie said, glancing at Madison, who smiled. “But I’m sure it will be amazing or else we wouldn’t be celebrating,” she finished with her cheeriest smile to date.
Madison grinned as Callie led them toward the back of the restaurant, where three tables had been combined. Connor and Jewel were already there. Connor looked nervous and uncomfortable in the upscale environment while Jewel appeared enthralled with it all. Jayden got up when his friends came over and quickly pulled out the chair for Grans before Andrew could.
“Ma’am,” Jayden smiled at Grans and then winked at Andrew.
Andrew shook his head, laughing, before pulling out the chair for Madison. Just as he was about to sit himself, he turned toward the entrance in time to see Aaron and Olivia walk inside. Andrew waved them over and then met them halfway. Olivia immediately gave Andrew a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“So what’s this news you wouldn’t tell me about on the phone?” Olivia asked, getting straight to the point.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” he replied with a beaming smile.
“Uh huh,” Olivia said, eyeing him suspiciously.
“Olivia, lay off, he’ll tell us,” Aaron insisted. He placed his hand on her lower back and walked her past him. He then glanced back at Andrew and mouthed, what is it?
Andrew shook his head as Aaron gave his best pouty expression. Andrew laughed again. No one was keen on secrets, but he didn’t want to say anything until everyone was there. He followed behind his aunt and uncle and took a seat next to Madison, draping his arm over her chair while they waited for Liam and Elias to arrive. Everyone began conversing with one another but avoided any talk as to why they were gathered. They ordered beverages right away and continued to wait. After fifteen minutes, Jayden started to worry. It was unlike his parents to be late for anything, let alone a celebration. When his phone buzzed, indicating an incoming text, he quickly pulled it out, frowning at the message.
“What is it?” Andrew asked.
“My parents are running late and should be here in about thirty minutes. They want us to go ahead and order.”
“Oh, we can wait for them,” Grans interjected.
“Why don’t we order a couple of appetizers to tide us over,” Madison suggested,
as her own hunger outweighed social courtesy.
“That sounds like an excellent idea,” Callie agreed. “That will give Liam and Elias time to get here.”
Jayden waved the waitress over. “Ma’am, could we start with the Steamed Clams, Sautéed Mushrooms, Mac’s Peppers,” Jayden looked at Connor, “You’ll like those,” he then smiled at the waitress again, “and, hmmm, how about the Calamari Strips.”
“Excellent choices, Mr. Bennett, I’ll put that in right now.”
“Thank you,” Jayden said with another smile.
“Mr. Bennett,” Connor snickered as the waitress walked away.
“Fu... forget you,” Jayden corrected with a laugh.
“I wonder if them being late is related to Bowers,” Andrew wondered.
“Why would it?” Jayden asked.
“I was watching the news before we left,” he paused, because usually Jayden teased him about it, but this time he didn’t. This time he was staring at him in anticipation. “Bowers and Martine were leaving this Senate Ethics Committee and Bowers told the reporters that he was being set up by your dad.”
“Asshole,” Jayden muttered under his breath.
“Yeah, that was my thought, too,” Andrew concurred.
“I said that your dad was likely prepared for that,” Madison interjected. “I’m sure it’s fine and you two are working yourselves up over nothing.”
Jayden didn’t look convinced that everything was fine, but he did drop it, not wanting to ruin Andrew’s announcement. He would check with his parents later. Soon, the appetizers were delivered, which distracted people completely. Laughter ensued as Connor attempted to eat the oysters while Madison inhaled anything that came her way. No one actually noticed when an agitated Liam and a flustered Elias walked into the restaurant. They were talking animatedly as they had been the entire trip over there. Neither was happy at the moment, as Bowers’ announcement meant that attention was shifted to Elias. He had been on the phone for the past couple of hours talking with the partners from his firm as well as fielding calls from the media. When they approached the table, they both attempted to look cheery. Liam touched Jayden’s shoulder and Jayden looked up and smiled.
Helios Renewed (The Helios Chronicles #3) Page 36
