The Baby Arrangement

by Lisa Dyson

  “Let’s take a listen to this little one’s heartbeat, shall we?” The doctor had Bree lie down and she put some cold gel on her lower abdomen. “This is the fetal Doppler. I may have to move it around a bit to find a good heartbeat.”

  Bree couldn’t see Nick right now, but she had the feeling from the look he’d given her a few seconds ago that he was as nervous as she was. She had never imagined this would be such an emotional moment, but then again, everything these days made her emotional.

  The three of them were silent as they listened to the swishing noises coming from the device as Dr. Bell moved it around.

  “There,” she said finally. “Listen closely. Yours is the slower beat and the faster beat is the baby’s.”

  As Bree lay on the table, staring up at the ceiling, she listened to the rhythmic beat of her heart mingled with the baby’s. Then she blinked and a river of tears flowed from her eyes, over her temples and into her hair.

  * * *

  A FEW MINUTES LATER, the doctor left after stating that everything appeared as it should. Nick remained silent while Bree straightened her clothes, and then he followed her to the front desk, where she made her next appointment.

  He was in awe of hearing their child’s heartbeat, and he could only assume Bree felt the same way since she’d spoken only in short phrases afterward. Before exiting the medical office building and going to their separate cars, Nick stopped Bree.

  “Is everything okay?” he asked.

  “Sure. Why?” Her voice was a little raspy.

  “That was pretty awesome back there.”

  “Uh-huh.” She was looking through the glass door to the parking lot, not at him.

  “That’s it? Uh-huh?” Couldn’t they even share this little step in their weird but obviously amazing situation?

  She looked at him then. “What do you want me to say?” She crossed her hands on her chest and raised her voice an octave. “Oh, my! Wasn’t that just spectacular?” She dropped her hands and scowled. “I can understand how you would feel differently. You want to raise it. I believe the books call it ‘bonding.’”

  His eyebrows rose and he stared at her with wide eyes. “I saw your tears. I don’t believe you have no feelings whatsoever when it comes to our baby.”

  “Your baby,” she corrected.

  “Fine. My baby.” He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “What is it? Are you putting up a wall between yourself and the baby? Is it to avoid getting emotionally involved, so that it’s easier to give the baby to me?”

  “I don’t need to put up a wall. I’m fine with you raising it, or a good family raising it. Either way, that’s how it’s going to be. So why should I get emotionally attached?” She brushed her hair back from her face with a gloved hand. “In about seven months, I’ll go into labor and it’ll be born. Soon after, you’ll take it home and raise it. Then I’ll go back to the life I had before you and I met on the island.”

  He didn’t know how to reply. After a few seconds of silence, he said, “You obviously have everything all figured out.” He swallowed back the harsh words he’d love to hurl at her. Now wasn’t the time or place. “Are we still on for dinner tonight?”

  “If you still want to,” she said without enthusiasm.

  “And a cooking lesson?”

  She nodded. “Oh, wait. I can’t. I need to go to Delaware this afternoon and I won’t be back in time for dinner. The trip came up suddenly this morning.”

  “Delaware?”

  “My PI found my grandparents at an assisted-living facility there.”

  “And you’re going to drive there to see them today?”

  “Yes. I want answers about my mother, so I can’t afford to wait.”

  “I agree.” He quickly reviewed his day. “I’ll go with you.”

  Her eyes widened. “Why would you want to do that?”

  He shrugged. “Because I don’t think you should be alone if you don’t get the news you’re hoping for. And because what you find out today could affect our child.”

  She seemed to think about it, and then said, “Okay.”

  “Okay.”

  They made plans to meet, and they each went their separate ways, giving him more time to consider her attitude toward the baby.

  He obviously needed to work on making her realize that this wasn’t a business deal they had going on between them, despite the signed contract. This was a human life that they’d created.

  He also couldn’t let her miss out on this child’s life, the way her mother had missed out on Bree’s.

  Besides, he was beginning to have feelings for the mother of his child, and he was pretty sure he didn’t want things to end between them when the baby was born.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  BREE HAD CALLED AHEAD to the assisted-living facility where her grandparents were supposedly living. She’d been told she would need to be approved to visit them, even though she’d related that she was the couple’s granddaughter. She didn’t tell the person she spoke to that they’d never met or that it might turn out that they weren’t related at all. The woman said she would convey the information and get back to her about whether she would be able to visit the couple.

  “You understand that this might be a wasted trip,” Bree said to Nick when she picked him up early that afternoon. He’d offered to drive, but she’d insisted on taking the wheel. After all, it was her family she was searching for. He didn’t even need to make this trip.

  She’d never admit it to him, but she was actually glad for his company.

  It turned out to be a pleasant drive, just under three hours, with no more talk about how he thought she should feel about the pregnancy or the future.

  They were pulling into a parking space at the Waterside assisted-living facility when Nick asked her the same question that had been eating at her since she’d decided to come to Delaware. “What happens if you can’t get in to see these people? Or what if they’re not actually your grandparents and this is a dead end?”

  She turned off the car’s engine and stared straight out the windshield. “I don’t know. I haven’t allowed myself to think much past getting in to see them.”

  He reached out, took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you for letting me come with you. If this does turn out to be your grandparents, then they’ll probably want to stay in contact with their great-grandchild. Something I’m happy to facilitate.”

  She nodded when words wouldn’t surface. If she turned her head to look at him, she knew her emotions would come pouring out in the form of tears. And she tried to avoid that at all cost. One thing was for certain—she wouldn’t miss these stupid hormones when this pregnancy was over.

  They exited the car and walked together to the front entrance. “At least it’s a sunny day and pretty warm,” Bree commented as the automatic doors opened for them. “I’ve always found a car drive to be a stress reliever.”

  “That’s a good way to look at it,” he said.

  They stepped to the front desk, where they were greeted by a woman in her early sixties with salt-and-pepper hair. She was about as tall as she was wide and had a welcoming smile. “Hello, what can I do for you?” Her tone was soothing, and Bree’s hopes of seeing her grandparents rose.

  “I called earlier about seeing Frank and Alice Greeley. I’m their granddaughter, Bree Tucker.” At least that’s what she’d been led to believe.

  “Let me check the approved list of visitors for them.” The woman clicked some keys on her computer keyboard and then ran a finger down what was presumably a list of names on her screen. She shook her head. “I don’t see you listed here. I’m sorry. Only approved visitors are allowed.”

  Bree’s heart sank. She didn’t know if this meant the person who needed to approve visitors hadn’t been co
ntacted yet or if she’d been turned down as a potential visitor. “But I came all the way from DC—”

  “Is there a way to contact the person who approves visitors for them?” Nick asked. “I’m sure that person would be interested in knowing that Bree is here.”

  The woman seemed to think about it for a minute and finally said, “Let me check with the supervisor on duty.” She stepped away from the desk and into an office behind her.

  Bree turned to Nick. “Right now I wish I was the kind of person who would turn that screen around and figure out where my grandparents were located. Then I’d take off to see them while no one was around.”

  His lips twitched. “I’m glad you’re not that kind of person, because that would only get you kicked out of here and banned permanently.”

  “If I wasn’t arrested first.”

  “True.” He nodded. “Here she comes.”

  “I spoke to our supervisor, and she’s going to speak to Mr. and Mrs. Greeley. If they give permission, then you can have the name and contact information for the person who authorizes visitors for them.”

  “Thank you so much.” Bree was relieved that at least they’d made a bit of progress. “Can you tell us what the relationship is between the couple and this person?”

  “Sure, I think that would be okay. It’s the couple’s daughter who determines who can visit them.”

  Bree suddenly felt light-headed and grabbed onto the counter for support when her knees began to buckle. She may have found more than she’d bargained for by coming here today.

  “Thank you for that information,” Nick said when Bree couldn’t speak. “We’ll wait over there.” He nodded to the sofa and chairs that were off to the side and took Bree by the elbow to guide her there.

  “Are you okay?” he asked quietly when they were seated next to each other on the sofa. He rested her hand in his, passing his strength to her.

  She nodded slightly and tried to speak. “She caught me off guard.” She turned to look directly at Nick. “It could be my mother who’s making the decisions. I might have found her.” She sucked in a breath with difficulty as her heart pounded in her chest.

  “Do you know if your mother had any sisters or brothers?”

  “No, honestly, I know almost nothing about her. My information is from my dad, and even from the little he’s told me, I don’t know how much to believe.”

  Nick nodded. “I’m thinking that you need to be prepared. This could be your aunt and not your mother.”

  “I know. I keep telling myself that, but even if it is my aunt, at least she might be able to give me a clue about my mother’s whereabouts.”

  “Looks like this might be the supervisor,” Nick said, nodding in the direction of a tall woman in her thirties with shoulder-length light blond hair and large dark-framed glasses.

  Bree and Nick stood up, and the supervisor put a hand out to Bree. “Hello, Ms. Tucker, I’m Sharon Waters. I just spoke to Mr. and Mrs. Greeley and explained the situation. They have allowed me to give you the contact information for their daughter so you can see if you can convince her to allow you to speak with the Greeleys. I will say they were confused about who you are, and they seem to be interested in finding out more.”

  “Thank you so much,” Bree said. “You have no idea what this means to me.”

  “I’m glad to help. I believe someone on the staff tried to reach the Greeleys’ daughter earlier today, but was unable to connect with her. I hope you have better luck.”

  Nick spoke up then. “Do all the residents here have such tight restrictions on visitors?”

  “Oh, no. The Greeleys are the only ones who require authorization. We have no idea why, but the daughter is adamant that she knows who comes and goes. Just very protective, maybe.”

  “I see.” Nick looked at Bree. He was obviously as stumped about the situation as she was.

  “Come with me, and I’ll get you the information.”

  Once Bree had the name and phone number, she knew immediately from the first name that this wasn’t her mother. She could only hope it was her aunt. Nick excused himself to use the restroom, but she suspected it was to give her privacy.

  Her hands shook as she sat on the sofa in the waiting area and touched the numbers on her phone. After two rings, a woman answered. “Hello.”

  Bree swallowed the lump in her throat, unprepared for the nerves she was experiencing. “Hello, is this Karen Monroe?”

  “Yes, it is.” The woman sounded suspicious already.

  “My name is Bree Tucker, and I’m calling about Mr. and Mrs. Greeley. I’d like to get your permission to visit them. I have reason to believe they’re my grandparents.”

  There was silence on the other end.

  “That’s impossible,” the woman finally said. “Why would you say such a thing?”

  As Bree told her about not knowing her mother—and leaving out who her wealthy father was for obvious reasons—she explained how her PI had found the couple. “So you can see that it’s important for me to speak with them.” She paused. “Unless you might be able to help me, instead?”

  “I’m afraid you’ve reached a dead end. My brother and I are the only ones who have given my parents grandchildren.”

  “Do you think we could meet in person?” Bree asked. “My PI seemed pretty sure that your parents are my grandparents. Maybe if we sat down and discussed it. My mother’s name is Marianne Greeley. Do you know of someone with that name?”

  After another period of silence, Karen said, “I can be at the Sands Diner in fifteen minutes. It’s three blocks south from Waterside on First Street.”

  “I’ll see you there.” Bree hung up and went to find Nick. He was over at the front desk chatting with the first woman they’d spoken to.

  “Thank you for your help,” Bree told her. “I really appreciate it.”

  “I hope you find what you’re looking for,” the woman said.

  As they exited the building, Nick asked, “So what happened? Did you reach the daughter? Where are we going?”

  She stopped and looked at him, butterflies dancing in her midsection. “We’re going to a diner down the street. I’m pretty sure we’re going to meet my aunt there.” She quickly filled him in on her phone conversation.

  She drove them to the diner and parked in the small lot beside the building. When they entered, Bree checked out all of the patrons though she realized they were early.

  “Two?” the hostess asked them.

  “Three,” Nick said. “A table where we can keep an eye out for the third person in our party if that’s possible.”

  The young woman nodded and showed them to a table with an excellent view of the entrance.

  “Would you like me to give you and this woman privacy?” he asked. “I can go for a walk while you two talk.”

  Bree wasn’t sure why, but she wanted him there. Maybe in case she was disappointed by the outcome. “No, I’d like you to stay.” He could also verify that the meeting had actually happened and she hadn’t dreamed it.

  They put their coats on the backs of their chairs, which were positioned at a ninety-degree angle from each other, and sat down. “Are you hungry?” Nick asked.

  “Not at all, which is probably the first time I’ve said that in about two weeks. Once my stomach settled down, I got my appetite back and it’s never satisfied now.” Their knees were touching and Bree didn’t move, not wanting to lose physical contact with him. There was something about his presence that gave her strength. Something she’d never thought she lacked until now.

  They chatted a few minutes and ordered drinks, and Bree tried not to mentally jump ahead. Every time the door opened and a customer came in or went out, Bree looked them over.

  When the woman she’d spoken to on the phone finally arrived, Bree was su
re that she was her aunt, even from a distance. She waved and the woman came over to their table. Bree and Nick stood up while introductions were made.

  “Have a seat,” Bree suggested as she and Nick both sat back down, too.

  “I have to say, you do have a family resemblance,” Karen said. “Why don’t you start from the beginning and tell me why you think you’re related to us.”

  Bree laid out the story as she knew it, starting from where her dad told her he’d met her mother and ending with the fact that she hadn’t shown up after Bree turned twenty-one. She did, however, leave out her own pregnancy. She wasn’t sure why, but she felt she needed to hold back a few things back. Including her rich and famous father’s identity.

  When she finished, she opened her purse and dug through her things to come up with her mother’s picture. “This is the only photo I have of her.” She held it out to Karen, who looked much like her mother probably would at the same age.

  Putting a hand over her mouth as she took the picture, Karen gasped, looking from the picture to Bree to the picture again. She set it down and said, “This is my sister, Marianne. I had no idea that she ever had a child.”

  Bree’s heart pounded. “Where is she? Can I see her, get in touch with her?”

  Before she spoke, Bree knew the answer from the tears in Karen’s eyes. “I’m so sorry, Bree. She died shortly before her twenty-fifth birthday.”

  A weight on her chest made speaking difficult. “What happened?” Bree felt the devastating loss even before she heard the story of her mother’s demise. She’d never even met the woman, at least not that Bree could remember.

  But it was as if a part of Bree had died in that moment, along with her mother.

  * * *

  NICK WATCHED BREE’S reactions as Karen told her what she knew about Marianne’s life and early death.

  “Marianne and I weren’t really that close,” Karen told her. “She was the oldest, then came my brother and then me. I had just left for college when we found out she’d died. No one had seen or heard from her in over two years.” Karen folded her hands on the table and breathed in deeply. “She’d dropped out of college with only one semester to go before graduating. She told our parents that she had a great opportunity, but never explained more than that. Whatever it was, it paid well.”