Ripped

by Olivia Rigal

  "I have no intention of going either," says Ten.

  Andy doesn't look surprised. "That's what I thought but I needed to ask."

  "Well I'll go," Oliver says. "Back stage passes sound like fun and maybe I could take a girl there with your pass." That's my Oliver, always looking for a new way of scoring.

  ***

  "Xander Wild has two songs in the top charts," Marc tells me as we're walking through the kitchen for a final inspection before the opening.

  "Yes, I know. He's made it now. He's playing at the big charity concert tonight."

  Marc looks at me with curiosity. The man can crunch number faster that any calculator so deducting nine months from my due date has not taken him more than a second.

  I'm pretty sure he remembers that, at the time of conception, Alexander was the one who came to pick me up at work when he kept me really late. Marc also noticed that it's been a while since he's seen Alexander whereas Ten has often dropped by on the site to take me home. I can see he wants to ask me about my situation but he thinks better of it.

  Like me, he loves to know everything about everybody he works with. He's a great source of information because he loves to gossip. That's why I won't admit anything about my situation to him. Oh well, chances are I will eventually tell him but for now I enjoy watching curiosity eat him up.

  When the restaurant opens, he stands by the door, greets all the guests, and takes all the credit for my hard work. I'm not sure how I feel about that. On the one hand, I did do most of the work but then again, he's trained me and he's paid for all the renovation so the truth of the matter is, it's actually his creation. I decide to be gracious about it. Tonight it's his most absolute right to claim my work. I'm let him parade like a peacock. Next time I'm sure I'll try to steal some of his thunder.

  I hang around, sitting on a bar stool making sure there are no glitches. I'm so big I can't really do anything but supervise. At ten Marc sends me home in a taxi.

  "I don't want to hear from you before you're back home with the baby," he tells me.

  Amazing, I'm on maternity leave! I told Ten I would let him know my decision tonight. I pat my tummy. I hated not having a father, I wonder how my child will feel if he or she ends up with two dads.

  I don't have the time to enter my key in the door that Ten has already opened it for me. He takes my coat and closes the door behind me.

  He looks like he's on pins and needles. It's plain to see that he thinks I've tortured him long enough. His eyes scream to me that I have to let him know now. Like right this instant. I nod to him and he tilts his head silently begging me to say something out loud to make sure that there's no misunderstanding, that I'm really saying yes. So I say it.

  "Yes, I will be honored to become your wife Mr. Tennessee Charles Clark."

  He drops to his knees, wraps his arms around my thighs and kisses my belly. "I love you already," he says to my belly button and his playfulness brings tears to my eyes.

  He jumps back to his feet, takes my hand and brings me to his room. "Voilà!" he says as he opens the door.

  His masculine, brown queen size bed set has been replaced by a California king size bed. His alarm clock and his reading lamp are on the floor on the side of the bed he usually sleeps in. On the other side there's a pretty bassinet covered with white lace.

  I'm speechless.

  "I thought you would like to pick the headboard and the night stands," he says. "But I wanted a big bed where we'll be able to cuddle with the kids."

  I'm laughing and crying at the same time. Only Ten does that to me. The baby's not born yet and he's making plans for the next one, no, the next ones with an emphasis on the plural. "You know I love you," I tell him.

  "Yes I do," he says. "And I'm giving you a new opportunity to prove it."

  "Your wish is my command now that you're going to be my Lord and Master," I playfully answer.

  "Come with me to Long Island tomorrow to tell Gramps and my parents. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you want a big wedding, right?"

  I shake my head. He's right. I've never dreamed of the white lacy dress or of the nuptial march and all that jazz regular girls dream about. I don't have any family and I was never allowed to have many friends when I grew up so I couldn't even fill the tiniest chapel. Maybe it's not so true anymore if I invite everyone I work with. For a second I have this cute vision of Marc walking me to the altar with a feather scarf around his neck, but no, a big wedding is not my dream.

  "That's what I thought. So here's the plan, on Monday we'll get our marriage license and we'll do it on Wednesday."

  "Did you also pick our witnesses for us?" I joke.

  "Sure did. Oliver and Andy, unless you have someone else in mind."

  "No I don't. I think you made a good choice."

  "So it's a yes?"

  "Yes, as long as you don't plan to take me there on your bike or to make me eat at the Main Street Diner. Yes, I will go help you face the Ice Queen. Now I just want to brush my teeth and lay down." Actually what I badly need to do is pee. Someone's been kicking my bladder.

  I step in his bathroom, in our bathroom, and sure enough my toiletries have already been moved from the bathroom I used to share with Andrew. He smiles at me and I refrain from asking him what he would have done if I had declined. The question would be cruel and I don't want to burst his bubble. The Ice Queen will work on blowing it soon enough.

  When I get back in the bedroom Ten helps me undress and for the first time I feel a little self conscious with him. I need to buy a nightgown. Just as the thought crosses my mind, I see it. On the bed, he has prepared something for me to sleep in tonight. It's the T-shirt I slept in on my first night here.

  On the nightstand there's the jewelry box with the ring and Ten kneels in front of me to slide it on my finger.

  I really love that man. I pray to fall in love with him.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The estate is empty when we arrive in Oliver's car. I was dead serious about not doing the ride on the bike. Anyway, I think it was not really an option; the only way I would have fit would have been side saddle. We wait in the living room for the family to return from the Sunday brunch pilgrimage. I wonder about the Ice Queen latest passion. I guess I'll see it soon enough.

  The room conjures up memories. When I look at the piano, I can see myself sitting next to Alexander on the bench writing our song. I look away and then I realize that I can't look out the window either. When I do I see the hot tub. This is where Eve was conceived. I search for something safe to look at and set my gaze on the engagement ring on my finger. Ten's grandfather gave it to his wife to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.

  When her arthritis had made it impossible for her to wear jewelry, Ten's granny had put that ring in an envelope and told her husband, "It's for Tennessee. He'll know what to do with it when he comes to his senses."

  After his grandmother passed, Ten's grandfather gave Ten the ring and the message without making any comments. If he had questions, James senior had kept them for himself. My guess is that he had no questions. His wife probably had told him what she thought.

  Ten paces back and force between the sofa on which I'm sitting and the window overlooking the gravel road that leads to the house. When they finally arrive, he appears to be a nervous wreck.

  I get up and go stand beside him. I thread my fingers in his and ask,, "Are you okay?"

  "Sure, it's just an awkward moment but I owe it to Granny."

  Ten steps in front of me as if to shield my body with his when his grandfather enters the room. "What a pleasant surprise," he says to Ten. He does not hug him. The Clarks are not huggers. "Oh, and Lyv is with you. It's been..." James Senior is speechless. If Ten wasn't so tense he'd be amused. I never thought something could throw his grandfather off his game. The old man turns around and speaks to his son who just walked in.

  "It seems that your mother was right after all."

  "What are you talking about?"
James Junior asks. Then he recognizes me and ascertains my condition. He stands there with his mouth open.

  "She predicted that?" he asks.

  I would like to gloat and say, "Yes, James, your mother knew your son would end up with the help," but that wouldn't be very productive or mature.

  James Junior just stares at me until his father makes him snap out of his stupefaction by suggesting he get his wife to join our party. "She should be here with us and not with her charlatan."

  As his son follows his instructions, James Senior chuckles and says to Ten and me, "The man is the most expensive astrologist she's had yet and guess what, he never saw this coming while it's very obvious my dear, you didn't get this way overnight."

  "It took about eight and a half months," I say. In the right context sarcasm is a weakness of mine.

  "Right, what I said, a charlatan."

  "Tennessee Charles Clark, what have you done?" The Ice Queen's voice is shrill. She's about to loose it and I can't say it's making me sad.

  "Well I would say that's pretty obvious," her husband tells her.

  "Maybe it's been so long that she's forgotten," mumbles James Senior.

  Oh my, I'm contagious, we're having a sarcasm fest. James Senior gives me a hard look and asks, "How long has this been going on?"

  I turn to Ten and let him answer this one. "I've always loved her," Ten says.

  James Senior looks at me and I nod. Yeah, what he said. I've always loved him too. Probably not the way we want you to think we have but we're not lying about our feelings.

  "Then I guess you kids know what you're doing and you have my blessing."

  "Thank you sir," I say.

  "Well they certainly don't have mine," says Ten's mother.

  "Alexandra! For once in your life, would you please shut up!" The woman looks flabbergasted. She huffs, at a loss for words, and storms out of the room.

  I pinch myself. I can't believe my ears. Ten's father has suddenly grown a pair. I look at Ten who seems as surprised as I am by this show of courage.

  "Are you married already?" Ten father's asks.

  "Not yet but we're planning on doing it before the baby arrives. Probably on Wednesday," Ten tells him.

  "Would you mind if we came?" James junior asks.

  Ten looks at me. He obviously had not considered the possibility that they would want to be there.

  "Of course not, Sir." I say. "We would be delighted if you were with us."

  "Good, then just let us know where and when," Ten's father says and just leaves the room. I guess this is as emotional as he can get.

  James Senior is laughing as he watches his son walk out calling out for his wife. "Well that was interesting." He raises his glass in my direction and says, "Welcome to the crazy dysfunctional Clark family my dear. You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into." Oh but I do. I had the chance to observe them every Sunday morning for years. Ten turns around and looks at me.

  He says, "I think we're about done here Lovey. What do you say we drive back home tonight?" I nod. It's not as if we had a choice, we haven't been invited to stay for dinner. Of course we could stay the night, Ten still owns the bungalow but I think I'll feel better at home.

  "Goodbye Sir, it was a pleasure to see you again."

  I start walking out and then I think of something and I turn around. "May I ask you something?" I ask the old man. He nods.

  "Is Martha still working at the diner?"

  "Yes she is," he answers.

  "Then could I ask you a favor? Next Sunday, when you see her, can you tell her that I'm doing fine and that I think of her often?"

  "That I can do," he says.

  "Out of my mother's hearing?"

  "That goes without saying." He smiles when he says that. I guess he really noticed more than I gave him credit for; unless there's something between him and Martha that I'm not aware of.

  We get in the car and Ten holds my hand as we drive away. "It went better than I expected," he says. "I'm glad we did it."

  I lift his hand to my lips and say, "I love you, Ten."

  Keeping his eyes on the road, he asks me, "Do you miss Alexander?"

  "At times." I say. One of the rules we have set is to be brutally honest, so I'm not about to start lying to him before we have tied the knot.

  "We'll have to work on that," he says. He's smiling to himself. There's a competitive side to Ten that I'm seeing for the first time. I look forward to his best effort to make me forget Alex.

  "Yes, we will."

  I haven't gone for the virginal white. Given my size it would have been silly. Furthermore I don't think they do white maternity dresses in the winter. So even if I had wanted to it wouldn't have been possible.

  James Senior and James Junior are here. They drove all the way to Manhattan to be with us. Ten was surprised, in a good way I think, to see Clara, Jimmy, and Steven. There is no one representing my biological family and nothing could make me happier.

  Oliver and Andrew are our witnesses. Those two and Ten are my family now. I guess Alexander still is too.

  Andrew's in the middle of his shift but he got the green light from his supervisor to take one hour with his patrol car to be with us. Who knew his sergeant was a romantic at heart? The cute clerk seems favorably impressed by his uniform. Andrew looks at her with such intensity that I think he'll be back to visit this courtroom soon and that I may get to know her better.

  The ceremony is quick. We both say, "I do," and sign the paper.

  I'm now officially Mrs. Tennessee Charles Clark. Ten kisses me, for real. Long and hard. So long that Oliver coughs and says, "Get a room!" and starts to walk away with Andrew.

  And then, with a perfect sense of timing my baby decides that it's time to come out and see the world. I get the first contraction and I feel something hot trickling down my legs. I recognize the pain the very second it starts. My grip on Ten's arm gets stronger and he looks at me with alarm.

  "Don't panic please," I tell him, "but it's time."

  Ten stares at me and calls out to Oliver and Andrew standing by the elevator doors. They both turn around and walk back toward us when they see the tense look on Ten's face.

  Oliver start's to say "What's..." and then notices the small puddle on the floor between my legs. His voice is really cool like it's no big deal when he continues by saying "Okay, since your water broke, I'll be starting my shift a bit earlier than usual."

  "And I'm gonna get you there in style," Andy tells me. "Lucky for you I cleaned up the back of my patrol car yesterday."

  "Sorry guys, we've got to go," Ten says to his family.

  "What hospital?" Clara asks.

  Oliver tells her as we get in the elevator.

  In the patrol car Andy turns on the siren. The three of us are a little squeezed in the back. More warm liquid comes out of me.

  Oliver laughs and says to Andy, "Buddy you're gonna have to clean your car again."

  "Oh Lyv, please can't you do something to hold it in?" Andy asks.

  I can't help but laugh. The man has no clue about the way things work. I'm not peeing in his car, I have no control over the leakage.

  This time I'm not scared of giving birth. I can conquer the world! I have my musketeers with me.

  But the three musketeers were actually four buddies and today one's missing. I decide not to be sad that Alexander won't be with me. I know it's going to be all right because Ten's here.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Andrew drops us at the entrance of the hospital and drives away. He's got a shift to finish and a back seat to clean up. Again. Ten has the number of his desk sergeant who will radio him the news if the baby gets here before he finishes his shift, which seems unlikely. I hope this baby doesn't take as much time as Eve to come out.

  Oliver rushes us through the admission paper work and in a semi private place, it's a pre-delivery room. Ten's holding my hand and he doesn't care what anybody says, he's not going anywhere.

  I no long
er have contractions. Ten's worried until Oliver summarizes the situation for him in words he can understand:

  "She's not in labor, she's just leaky."

  Ten's brain seems to have stopped functioning properly.

  "He means you can relax, nothing's happening for a while. You have plenty of time to go home and get my stuff," I say using a tone I would use for a very slow person.

  "You're sure?" Ten asks.

  "Certain," Oliver and I answer together.

  "And I'll stay with her until you come back," Oliver says. "I told you, I'm not supposed to start work for a couple of hours."

  Ten reluctantly leaves. I know he's really not thinking properly because in his normal state he would have sent Oliver home to get my baby suitcase.

  Oliver stays with me and I can see something's on his mind so I tell him, "Come on, out with it."

  He looks at me strangely so I add, "I can see something's bothering you so tell me. What's the problem?"

  "It's Andrew. He's torn."

  "I know..." It's all that I can think to say. Andrew is in a difficult position. He's there because of a combination of his brother's decision and my choice not to tell Alexander about this pregnancy.

  We remain silent for a while and Oliver says, "If there's anything I can do to help?"

  "You are already. You're here with me and you haven't spilled the beans."

  Oliver shrugs. "My loyalty is to you and Ten. Alexander's not my brother."

  But still I can see Oliver's feeling sorry for Alexander. So am I when I'm not mad at hell at him.

  The delivery is fast and smooth and it's a girl. Ten looks at her before they whisk her away. "She's perfect," he says. "And she looks just like you."

  "What shall we call her?"

  "What do you think of Alexandra?" he asks.

  "Alexandra?" What the hell?

  He nods and I can't think of anything to say. I'm in shock and then I understand. It's not Alexandra because of Alexander. It's Alexandra like his mother. Okay, that makes more sense. I'm not sure it will melt the Ice Queen frozen heart but I won't deny him a chance to try. I wonder if he was hurt by her absence today.