“You and your Daddy’s girl. You did the same thing with Jamie.”
I smile, “Jamie was my girl. And Gracie is my girl, too,” I confirm. I hold Gracie up to my shoulder and pat her back softly. “Aren’t you, Gracie?” I kiss her soft cheeks. “She isn’t crying, is she?”
“Brainwashing,” Dad chuckles.
Leah
One week later, I’m sitting in the nursery of my home, holding my baby. Gracie is now 4 pounds and Robert insisted on hiring a neonatal nurse for a few weeks.
Amy will be our nurse 12 hours a day until Gracie Robert is convinced Gracie is fine. I already think Gracie is perfect. Having a neonatal nurse at home adds reassurance that everything will be all right. Before Gracie was released from the hospital it’s mandatory that all parents take an infant C.P.R. class, so we did. Amy will work 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and then we have get another nurse to replace her from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. I spoke with Amy and told her I wanted to handle all of Gracie’s needs, minus her medical needs. She laughed but understood. Mom and Margie are in the kitchen cooking and Dad and Walter are in the yard. Robert is standing in the doorway in protective mode.
Amy does her charting and monitors Gracie’s vital signs throughout the day. Robert and I bathe the baby and take her to join her grandparents in the living room. I carry her room to room and show her where she lives. Jamie had the brightest room in the house and Gracie likes the natural light.
The grandparents fuss over Gracie and take turns holding her while Robert and I eat. I offered Amy to join us and she declined. “Thank you for doing this,” I say, watching Robert. “It feels so much nicer being here in our own home with our baby.”
“This is much nicer,” he agrees.
The nurses rotate every 12 hours, keeping a consistent schedule. Gracie wakes up every three hours for her feeding and I couldn’t be happier. Nurse Amy brought in a set of baby scales and weighs Gracie daily for us. I don’t voice my concern about the cost of all of this because I don’t care what the price is. It’s worth every penny.
We received a letter from the courts saying that the custody date has been changed to a later time. I’m thankful. I want to get my six-week checkup first. I also want to be able to go to court and fight for our daughter. Madison is ours and she belongs with us.
Robert works out from home but runs to the gym so he can practice with his sparring partner. He also makes frequent visits to the cemetery. He is training as a warrior as he promised. I know his fight with Kennedy is still several months away, but I have confidence that he’ll go in the ring, ready to claim the championship title.
“Are you ready to go and surprise your Daddy?” I ask in a baby’s voice. I swear I sound more like a fairy than a baby. It’s been awhile since I had to use a baby voice. I dressed Gracie in a red silk robe that says “Champ” in bold black letters on the back. I also put on my matching robe that matches Robert’s. I carry her through the house until we get to Robert’s workout room. I slowly open the door and “The Eye of The Tiger” is playing through the surround sound in the room. He doesn’t hear us entering, he’s in the zone.
We watch as Robert works out, and it’s hot. He’s muscular and sweaty, and it’s hot. I clear my throat and he looks over to where we are. A smile automatically forms on his lips. He wipes the sweat off his face and turns down the music. I lick my lips as I watch him walk over to me and Gracie. He bites the string loose on his gloves and removes them. “Hello, Sweets,” he says as he kisses me.
“Looking good, Ace.”
“What do we have here?” he asks as he picks up our daughter. He holds her up and turns her over so he can see the back of her tiny robe. “My very own little cheerleader,” he beams.
I clear my throat and he looks down at me. “And the cheer captain.” He looks me up and down stopping to stare at my bare legs. My robe is coming open at the top, exposing my large breasts and I don’t try to cover myself up. “How old is Gracie?” he asks with a serious look on his face.
“Almost four weeks.”
“In fourteen days you’ll be screaming my name for more,” he whispers into my ear as he kisses my neck. I want to now, I think to myself. My plans to seduce him has failed again. Next time I’ll have to do it without the baby. Maybe tonight. I’ll ditch the robe and try something sexier, something more feminine, something softer. I got it. He’ll soon forget how many more days we have left for my six-week checkup.
Robert
During breakfast I decide to tell Leah about my meeting with Bruce. I wasn’t going to tell her, but I don’t like keeping anything from her. I tell her about Drake and his threats. If something from my past surfaces and it prevents us from getting Madison, I want her to be preparred. I also tell her that Bruce has his team searching for some dirt on Drake. I don’t tell her about my tire being slashed at the hospital the night she stayed with Gracie, or about me seeing Drake shortly after. Leah needs to know some things, but she doesn’t need to know everything. Some things are just better left in the dark.
Grace is doing well and we decide we no longer home health care for her. She is a good baby with a healthy set of lungs that she uses when she wants food. Leah says she sounds like me and I would have to agree. Leah has a soft whispery voice where mine is… gruff. Dad, Tim, Gus, and I fly out to Vegas tomorrow for the press conference. I have been on the phone the last couple of days talking to Gus about the trip to Vegas. I know this is a big deal. Sugar Ray Tiger even called me, offering his support. He told me he received a personal invite and he will also be there for the conference.
I asked Mom and Sue to come over and stay with Leah and Gracie while we’re gone. At the request of the G.M. of the Bellagio, we will be staying the weekend. They want the future boxers to be seen throughout the hotel and casino all weekend. I guess that appearance is everything. Free rooms, meals, and show tickets, and all I have to do is walk around. I can do that. I did call Bruce to let him know I’ll be out of town. I want someone to watch out for Leah. We live in a gated community, have a house alarm, and yet I still worry.
Leah helps me pack and she is in good spirits. She attempted to seduce me last night and it almost worked. Walking around in a lacy black bra and matching panties then applying lotion seductively to her legs. Yep, she about had me right where she wanted me. Hell, she about had me right where I wanted to be. She doesn’t need to seduce me for me to want her. I already want her. But she does have to be cleared by the doctor first. I will never put her or anyone else at risk. On the day of her six-week checkup, I doubt we make it out of the parking lot.
“Ace, earth to Ace,” she giggles.
“Ace is on earth,” I ask adjusting my pants.
“This one or this one?” she asks holding up two black suits.
“Neither. Pack me jeans, some tee-shirts, and some gym shorts,” I say seriously.
“Ace? This one?” she shakes the one on the right, “Or this one?” she shakes the one on the left.
I look at them both and they look identical. “The one on the right,” I say.
“Good choice. You’ll wear this to the press conference,” she states. “And if I see you wearing anything else, you’ll be sleeping on the couch when you return.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I look at Gracie and not at Leah. I wasn’t going to wear a suit at all, but since she put it that way.
I look at Gracie while Leah packs my clothes and I’m amazed at how much Gracie looks like Leah. I have to wonder why I didn’t think it was strange that Jamie didn’t look like either of us. I loved Jamie so much it wouldn’t have mattered if I even suspected she was switched at birth. I also wonder what Madison looked like as an infant and as a toddler.
Leah sleeps intertwined with me and it’s a sure giveaway that she’s worried. I hold her close and kiss her often. When I hear movement in the bassinet, I get up with Leah for Gracie’s feeding. I can’t feed her, but I sit nearby and admire my spiky-haired baby. “I thought babies lost their hair when they wer
e born?”
“Most of them do. Jamie was bald for the first year of her life,” Leah says as she softly touches Gracie’s black hair. “It doesn’t appear that Grace will lose hers. It’s pretty thick and long.”
“She’s beautiful,” I say, not taking my eyes off of my hungry baby.
“She is.”
The next morning Leah and I eat breakfast before I leave for Vegas. I shower and put on a pair of holey jeans, my signature gray tee-shirt, and boots. Gus pulls up with Tim and Dad already in the truck.
“Here, Ace,” Leah says as I load up my luggage. I turn around and she is holding up a sports jacket for me. It’s late summer and hot in Florida and even warmer in Vegas and she wants me to wear a sports coat. She shakes it at me like I can’t see it. “Appearances mean everything. Remember?” I smile and walk over to her. I was going to take it from her, and toss it in the back of the truck, but she holds it out for me to put on. “Sorry, but I don’t trust that you’ll wear it. If you put it on you’ll keep it on.”
I laugh and say, “You know me so well.”
“Yes, I do.”
We land in Vegas and the Bellagio has a limo waiting on us. The driver holds up a sign that reads Bobby Grether. When we walk over to where the driver is standing, I hear squealing. I turn to look and there are four very attractive women waving and smiling. I smile and wave and they take a few pictures. Some days I feel like a rock star being Bobby Grether, and then Leah knocks me off my platform where I should be anyway.
“I’m going to miss this lifestyle when you retire,” Gus says as he pours himself a drink.
“It’s a little too soon for a drink, isn’t it?”
“It’s a mimosa. You should try it,” he says, taking a drink.
“I don’t drink anything I can’t say.”
On the drive there, we go over the itinerary that the hotel sent over. They want Kennedy and me at breakfast together before the conference. I read over the sponsors list and see several big names. In the evening they want us to make an appearance at a Blackjack tournament. The dividing privacy window rolls down and the driver hands me an envelope and says, “The hotel wanted you to have this.”
I take the envelope from him. “Thank you,” I say and the window rolls back up. I open it up and see four stacks of one hundred dollar bills. I take them out and fan the money with my fingers. I toss Dad, Gus, and Tim a stack and keep one for myself. There is also a note enclosed. I read it out loud so they can hear.
Bobby Grether,
Here is a little something to show you our appreciation for you and your team in taking the time to come out here on such short notice. We know about the new addition to your family and we understand it must be difficult for you to leave them.
We are hoping to drum up some buzz this weekend to get the fight off to a running start. Please, look at the itinerary and if there is a problem, let us know.
Enjoy yourselves and if you need to go anywhere, we have a car ready to take you anywhere you need to go. I’ll see you in the morning.
Regards, Mr. Pelayo, C.E.O.
The Bellagio Hotel and Casino.
“Nice,” Dad says and everyone agrees. Tim fans the money and lets it blow across his face. I hit my stack against my knees and think that this stack alone would send my daughter to college for a year or two. I guess they believe that we'll lose it in the casino and if that’s true, they get their money back anyway. It pisses me off they have so much money to bribe people with. People are starving here in the United States for God’s sake.
When we get to the hotel and are greeted immediately at the door. We’re escorted upstairs to the penthouse not needing to stop by and check-in first. The room looks like a large apartment. White carpeting and white furniture fills the living room area with white walls and dark crown molding. The dining room has a large oval table with six chairs. The refrigerator is stocked with my favorite foods and an open bar is adequately supplied. “Mr. Grether,” the concierge says. “Mr. Pelayo wants to make sure your stay here is comfortable. If there’s anything you want that isn’t here, please let us know.”
“I’m sure we have more than we need. Thank you.”
“Very well, Sir.” He walks around and opens all the blinds. I look around the room and take notice of the dozens of pink roses that are strategically placed around the large open area.
Before he leaves, I remove two one hundred dollar bills from the stack and hand it to him. “Thank you. We won’t be needing anything else during our stay.” I say it to him, but I say it loud enough for my team to hear me. I don’t want them taking advantage. We aren’t here on a vacation. This is work. I’m one step closer to getting my revenge on Kennedy.
Gus is pulling cold cuts and cheese out of the refrigerator while Dad turns the television on the sports channel. Tim is standing at the large picture window watching the water show. “This is a great view, Robert.”
I walk over to where he stands and I also admire the view. “It is. Leah would like it here.”
“During any other circumstances, she would.”
“Who wants a sandwich?” Gus calls from the kitchen.
“Are you going to eat?” Tim asks.
“I am. I want to call Leah first.”
After lunch and after I call home and talk to Leah, we hit the casino. The casino is busy. You would never know it’s in the middle of the day. It looks like a very busy nightclub on a Saturday night. People are already drinking and some are even drunk. Stale cigarette smoke fills the air.
Tim and Dad leave to play some slots while Gus and I walk around. We stop and watch a few of the Black Jack tables. I see some card sharks right away and a few newbies. I decide on my table and Gus joins me. I think I have everyone figured out but the guy wearing the sunglasses. He is dressed in all black and looks out of place. I think he is trying to look intimidating, but he failed miserably. After losing a few hands intentionally, I decide to up the stakes. Gus and I win back and forth a few times. The mystery man laughs, collects his few chips, stands and says, “Bobby, you’re much better than I gave you credit for.” Surprised that he knew my name, I just watch him. He removes his dark sunglasses and it’s Drake Sinclair standing there.
Leah
Mom and Margie come over, and I leave to run to the shop for a few hours. It’s the first time I’ve been away from Gracie. I need a few things, but I also just need some time away. So much has happened and I just need to get out and breathe some fresh air.
I pull up at the shop and admire my cute sign with Jamie’s name written on it: Jamie’s Cozy Corner: Books, Coffee, & Sweets. It’s Your One-Stop Shop. I wonder if I’ll need to change that to say; Jamie, Madison, and Grace’s Cozy Corner: Books, Coffee, & Sweets. It’s Your One-Stop Shop. I smile. I may change it anyway.
I walk into the shop passing by patrons who are sitting outside at the bistro tables. Although it’s hot, people still enjoy sitting outside. The shop is extremely busy on this Friday afternoon. I say my hellos to Bethany and Dove before I start cleaning up and helping out. I answer a few questions about the baby from the regulars who ask and I also fill Dove and Bethany in on Grace. I smile and I can feel the grin all the way to my eyes.
After I gather what I need, I begin towards the door. I look over and in the seating area is Madison and Chelsea. I look back to Dove and Bethany and they are attending other customers. I can’t move but stare at Madison. She is so beautiful. I swear I think I can see Gracie in her small features. She looks up at me and smiles. I smile back and give her a small wave. Chelsea sees me and stands to leave.
I quickly gather my thoughts and walk over to them. “Please don’t go,” I plead.
“We shouldn’t be here. I thought…”
I interrupt. “I would be out on maternity leave?”
“Yes.” She looks down at Madison and not at me. “Please, stay. I just want to talk to you.” I look from Chelsea to Madison and say, “How are you, Madison?”
Madison looks to Chels
ea before answering me. “I’m fine.”
“Mommy, can we get this book?” I look behind me and a little boy is standing there. I have to hold on to the back of the couch to keep from falling.
“Are you all right?” Chelsea asks concerned.
“I need to sit down,” I whisper. I don’t want to draw attention to myself. She helps me and I take a few deep breaths. The little boy looks just like Jamie. I run my hands up and down my arms to warm the cold chills. I feel like I just saw a ghost.
“Momma, is she all right?” Madison loudly whispers to her Mom, I mean Chelsea. I’m her Mom. Will that ever sink in? Will I ever get to call her my daughter? I want to get to know her and to see her.
“I’m fine,” I finally say. I look to Madison and Chelsea, and then to the little boy.
“Leah, this is my son, Caden,” Chelsea says. “And you already met Madison.”
I try to not stare, but I can’t help it. “Hi, Caden,” I say with a small smile. It takes everything I have to not touch him, or kiss him, or hug him. He reminds me so much of Jamie and it breaks my heart. I miss her so much. And I look at Madison and she looks so much like Robert and me.
He doesn’t say anything but hides behind his mother instead. Chelsea finally sits down beside me. “Madison, would you please get Miss Leah some water? Caden, can you help your sister, please?”
“Yes Momma,” they say in tandem before they dart off.
When they are gone Chelsea says, “This is a mistake, I shouldn’t have come.”
I look at her and try to stay focused on her and not the children. “Don’t say that. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Drake won’t be happy about this.”
I remember Drake’s anger and I shiver. “We need to talk.”
“I don’t think we should be talking without our attorneys.” She looks at me and I can see the fear in her eyes. “We like your shop,” she admits. “As you said, I thought you would still be out on maternity leave.”
I change the subject and say, “I saw that you visited Jamie’s grave. You left things there for her.”
Against the Odds Page 14
