by Ancelli
“I’ll get help, I promise. I’ll do anything you ask me to.” He went to grab her hand, and that was when he saw her wedding ring. “You’re married?” His jaw locked and his face turned red.
“She’s not married,” Carmen said, standing in front of Malanie.
“You think I’m a fucking fool.” He pushed her out of the way.
Carmen pulled out her cell phone and dialed 911. “I’m calling the cops.”
Luis walked over to Carmen and threw the phone on the floor.
Malanie couldn’t move. Her body was in shock. She rubbed her stomach. Don’t be afraid, you’re strong.
He stood in front of her. “Because of that fucking white boy, I’ve been suspended from the force.”
Her body and mind came back in full effect. “I’m not afraid of you.”
He opened his hand and struck the side of her face. Gasping, she stumbled, holding her face. All the memories of every single blow he’d ever given her came back.
He forcefully gripped her arm. “My baby is dead because of you, and now you’re giving him a baby.”
“My baby died because of you!” She tried to pull her arm away, but he just gripped harder.
“I didn’t mean to kill our baby. You wouldn’t do as I say. You deserved it, not her. She was my little girl, and if I can’t have you or her, he isn’t going to, either.” He grabbed her throat. She tried to get away swinging but his hold got tighter.
Carmen jumped on his back and started hitting him. “Let her go!”
He managed to get her off and hit her, making her fall to the floor. He grabbed his gun from his holster and pointed it at Carmen. “I told you, stay out of this.”
“No…don’t please don’t hurt her!” Malanie yelled. “She’s your cousin!”
He turned and pointed the weapon at her. “All I wanted was a family, someone to love me.”
“You can still find that somebody,” she said, trying to calm him down.
He put the gun down on her desk. “You must take me for a fucking fool. I don’t need a shrink. I tried so hard to make you love me, but you’re nothing more than a fucking whore. How could you let him touch you?”
She tried to run past him and he grabbed her from the back, putting her in a neck lock. “Please don’t hurt my baby,” she pleaded.
“I don’t fucking care about his baby,” He whispered, squeezing his arms tight around her.
Malanie was having hard time breathing. Everything Jeremy had taught her about self defense went out the window. God please save my baby, please. She started seeing black spots.
***
Jeremy heard the message and he tried to call her back, but got no answer. Upon that, he’d driven directly to her office. Stepping off the elevator, he heard yelling. His heart dropped. It was after office hours, and no one should have been around. As he ran to her office, he heard her screaming no. He banged on the door. “Lanie! Open up!”
Carmen yelled back. “Luis has a gun, Jeremy!”
Jeremy’s fingers shook as he tried to dial.
“911. Please state your emergency.”
“My wife is being held up by a man with a gun.” He told her the address.
“Sir, we have units on the way.” Had someone had already called? How long had he been in there with her?
It’s my entire fault. I should’ve been here on time. He banged on the door. “Luis, it’s me you want. Let her go, please.”
“If I can’t have her, you won’t either.”
Carmen started to crawl to the door, and Luis released Malanie to stop her. As soon as Malanie could, she rushed over to her desk and grabbed his gun and pointed it to his head. “Luis!”
Luis stopped and turned when he realized Malanie was pointing the gun at him. Carmen crawled over to the door and opened it.
Jeremy rushed in and paused. Luis had fucking put his hands on her again. The side of her face was swollen. She was shaking, her eyes twitching.
Malanie had the gun pointed at Luis’s head, hands shaking.
If she doesn’t kill him, I will.
Luis stepped forward. “You wouldn’t.”
Without saying a word, Malanie put her finger on the trigger.
Jeremy moved forward. “Lanie, give me the gun.” He stared at her but he could see she wasn’t there. Her eyes were empty. “Baby, you don’t want to do this.”
She cocked the gun. “He wanted to kill our baby…he killed my baby….”
“Baby…he is going to pay for everything he did to you.” Jeremy moved closer.
“He beat me, killed my baby.” She swallowed. “He and Briana framed you for the rape.”
“It would’ve worked if Briana wasn’t such a slut,” confessed Luis.
At that moment Jeremy didn’t care about what Luis and Briana had done; he only cared about his wife. He took two more steps and placed his hands on her shaky ones. “You don’t want to do this. I’m here. I promised you he won’t hurt you again.” He sighed. “The police are on their way.”
“He always gets away with it,” she said, still pointing the gun, about to squeeze the trigger.
“Not this time. Baby, please give me the gun.” He leaned in closer. “Do you trust me?”
She released the gun and jumped into his arms.
“You’re okay. I’m here.”
Her body just shook in his arms.
Luis grabbed a gun he’d had in his ankle holster drew down on Jeremy.
Apparently, he’d forgotten Jeremy was armed, too. Carmen screamed.
Jeremy gently pushed Malanie behind him, and whispered. “I love you.” Luis edged closer, pointing the gun at his chest.
“All this went down because of you. If you would’ve never interfered that day, Malanie would still be with me.”
Carmen moved, bumping one of the guest chairs, and Luis turned to look.
At that second, Jeremy pointed the gun he had at Luis. “It’s over.”
Luis faced him. “I guess one of us is not leaving this office.”
“You’ll never hurt her again.”
The cops burst through the door. “Put the guns down!” they shouted.
Luis lowered his gun and Jeremy took that moment to jump him, knocking the gun out of his hand. He closed his fist and connected with Luis’ jaw. Luis hit Jeremy in the mouth. He continued to punch him, and then stopped, wrapping his hands around Luis’s neck. “I told you I would kill you if you laid another hand on her.” Luis’ face turned an ugly shade of purple.
“Let him go!” the cops yelled, pointing their gun at him. “Get off!”
Jeremy glanced back at them. He heard everything they were saying, but the words sounded far away. His anger took over until Malanie’s cries broke through. He turned slightly and saw her curled up on the floor. The paramedics tried to help her, but she wouldn’t let them touch her.
He released Luis, crawled over to her, and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m here….”
Luis got up, touching his throat, still, gasping for air. “I’m a cop…. He tried…to kill me. You witnessed it.”
Jeremy never for a moment let go of his wife.
“He’s lying. He is the one that tried to kill her,” Carmen said. “Her husband was defending her.”
In halting, choked sentences, Carmen described what had gone down, and the cops placed handcuffs on Luis. “What the fuck are you doing?” he spluttered. “I didn’t do anything.”
“Sir, the 911 operator recorded the whole incident. They have it all.”
One of the officers walked over to where Jeremy and Malanie sat. “Sir, we need your statement.”
He glared at them with unshed tears in his eyes. “Can we please do that later?” He massaged her head. “Can we come down to the station after I take her to the hospital?” Jeremy said still holding her.
The cops understood. Malanie was obviously still in shock. She wasn’t going to be able to give a coherent statement. Malanie still hadn’t said a word. “As soon as yo
u can.”
“Lanie, talk to me.”
“Sir, we need to check her out.” One of the paramedics kneeled down next to them.
“Baby, they need to make sure you’re okay.”
The paramedic took her pulse and temperature. “Her vitals are good. I’m going to go get the ultrasound to check on the baby.” He got up and hustled off.
“I think something’s wrong,” she whispered.
“What’s wrong, baby?”
“She hasn’t moved since he choked me,” she said, caressing her belly. “She usually moves for me.” She took a deep breath. “I stopped breathing. I lost Annabelle because she didn’t get enough oxygen.”
The remaining paramedic listened to her. “We’ll be back with a stretcher. She has to be seen by a doctor.” He ran out the door.
“They’re going to take you to the hospital.” Jeremy moved behind her and began rubbing her stomach. “Come on, princess, Mommy needs to feel you.” God, please, please let her be okay.
Malanie started crying. “She’s still not moving.”
He leaned his head down to her stomach and whispered, “Faith, daddy loves you, and I really need you to move.” A tear rolled down his cheek.
The paramedics came back with a stretcher. “Let’s take you to the hospital.”
They were about to lift her when the baby started moving and Jeremy smiled. “That’s daddy’s muffin.”
“Everything is okay…. She’s okay.” She placed her hand over his.
“Thank God.” He touched and then caressed the side of her face. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, but I want to make sure she’s completely healthy.” He helped her stand, and the paramedics laid her on the stretcher. He followed them into the ambulance, climbed in, and grabbed her hand.
“If anything would’ve happened to you….”
“I’m okay,” she said, touching the bruise on her face. “I have you and that’s all I need right now.” She smiled, rubbing her belly. “I’m stronger than him.” She touched Jeremy’s swollen lip.
“He will never hurt you again. He is going to jail for a long, long time. Aggravated assault murder, tampering with evidence, and the list goes on.”
“Murder?”
“He admitted to killing your baby. He is finally going pay.”
***
It was the last day of Luis Bonilla’s trial. Jeremy, Malanie, Carmen, and Briana all testified against him.
Jeremy held Malanie’s hand as they awaited the verdict.
“Baby, we don’t have to be here,” Jeremy said, squeezing her hand.
“I need to,” she said with tears in her eyes. “I need to be here for Annabelle.”
“Luis Bonilla, please rise,” said the judge.
He was found guilt, and sentenced to jail for ten years without possibility of parole.
Jeremy and Malanie exited the courtroom after the sentencing. As soon as they left the building, someone shouted his name. They both looked back. It was Briana, who had been discharged from the Navy.
.
“Please, just one minute,” she begged.
“I have nothing to say to you.” Jeremy took his wife’s hand and continued walking down the steps.
“I’m sorry!” she yelled. “I’m sorry.”
Chapter Forty-One
At Lamaze class
Malanie leaned against Jeremy as they listened to the instructor.
Watching the instructor, she practiced her breathing technique as Jeremy’s hands went around her stomach, rubbing it in circular motion. “That feels so good.”
“I know something else that feels better,” Jeremy said naughtily.
“Good job, Dad. Just like that,” the instructor said as she passed by.
He leaned in and kissed her neck, whispering, “Your breathing is turning me on. I want you so bad right now.”
She started laughing, which made her stomach shake, and covered her mouth with her hand. “Stop it! You won’t be thinking about that after you see the birthing video.”
He’d been to all of her medical appointments, read all the books they’d bought, but he hadn’t been prepared for the video. When it was half way through, where he could see the baby’s head, he excused himself and went to the bathroom.
He splashed water on his face, and looked at his reflection. “She went through this alone.”
There was a soft knock from outside. “Jeremy….”
When he opened the door, Malanie was standing there with her arms crossed above her belly, giving him a dirty look. “Baby, you went through that with no one. By yourself.”
The moment she heard those words, her eyes became soft. She took his hands in hers. “I survived it, and this time around I have you by my side.”
His eyes watered. “Lanie, I wish I could’ve been there.”
“But you’re here now.” She began to giggle. “I hope you don’t go running out of the delivery room when the time comes.”
He stepped out of the bathroom and wrapped her in his arms. “I’ll be right by your side, even when I pass out.” He laughed. “Let’s go back.”
By the time they returned to the class again, the video was over.
“Thank God.”
***
Late evening
Jeremy jumped out of bed. “Lanie.” He tried waking her up. He couldn’t believe she’d peed the bed. He was in deep sleep when he’d felt the moisture. “Lanie….”
She turned. “Yes, baby?” She mumbled the words as she woke up.
“What were you dreaming about?”
She turned and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “You woke me up at three in the morning to ask me what I was dreaming about?” She leaned on her elbows.
“Because you peed the bed.”
“What? I didn’t pee the bed.” She felt the mattress. “You…don’t blame me.”
He chuckled. “It wasn’t me.”
“Oh no,” she said, holding her stomach. “That’s not pee. My water broke. Ohhhh. Mmph. ”
He could tell she was in pain. “Your water broke?” he asked, suddenly nervous. “Why aren’t you screaming?” He went to his dresser to grab a T-shirt and sweats.
She chuckled, looking at him going around. “The contractions just started.”
He stopped dead in his tracks. “Are you sure?”
“Yes!” She giggled. “I would know.”
“Let’s go to the hospital.” He picked up her bag.
Lanie got off the bed. “Baby, this can take hours.”
“But your water broke. Doesn’t that mean the baby’s coming?” He dropped the bag and came back to stand next to her.
“She’s coming soon, but we have time.” She began to take the sheets off the bed.
He looked at her in disbelief. Why is she acting like nothing’s happening? “Baby, I can do that. Relax.”
She was about to sit when she grabbed her stomach. “Ouch…. There goes another one. We just need to time them.”
He rushed over to her side. “I’m taking you to the hospital now.” He walked to the living room. “Alanie!” he shouted. “Alanie!”
Alanie came out of her room with her eyes half closed. “Yes, Daddy?”
“The baby’s coming. Let’s go,” he said, pointing to the door.
Her eyes opened wide, and she rushed to her mom. “Are you okay, Mom?”
“Yes…. Ouch!” she said, groaning in pain.
***
At the hospital, the doctor checked her and told her she wasn’t fully dilated.
Jeremy, Malanie, and Alanie walked the hallway, and every time a contraction hit, he would hold her hand and massage her back. “I love you.”
“Whatever.” She bent in pain. “This fucking hurts.” She must have forgotten that Alanie was there.
He looked at Alanie. “She didn’t mean that.”
She just giggled. “Daddy, I understand she’s in pain. I’m not a little girl anymore.”
“You’ll al
ways be our little girl.” She took deep breath. “I love you, too.”
She grabbed her mom’s hand. “My little sister will be taking that spot soon.”
“No…. Ouchhh…. I think its time,” she said, grabbing her big belly again.
“Alanie, remember what we discussed. Stay in the waiting room. The nurse will come get you once Faith is finally here.” He took Malanie by her arm.
Alanie hugged and kissed her mother. “Good luck, Mom.” She turned down the hallway.
They walked back into her hospital room. He helped her get back up on her bed on all fours and he continued to rub her back.
“Baby, I wish I could do more.”
“You are. Just continue doing what you’re doing.” She turned and laid on the bed.
Dr. Copper and a nurse came in. “Let’s see.” He checked her cervix. “Mom, it’s time to push.”
The nurse put her feet up and the doctor began counting. Malanie did exactly what she was told. Jeremy held her hand and kissed her forehead. He glanced down and saw his baby crowning. His knees almost gave out,
“Almost there.”
He saw the baby’s shoulders come out. “Oh God….”
“One more push,” the doctor said.
She pushed and the baby was out, covered with white stuff. The doctor placed her on Malanie’s stomach. Malanie was so tired, she just smiled.
“Dad, do want to cut the umbilical cord?” the doctor asked with the scissors in his hand.
“Yes, yes….” He just watched his baby as he cut the cord. She started crying her lungs out. “That’s it, Faith,” he said proudly. The nurse came and got the baby, and carried her toward the back. “Where are they taking her?”
“She’s just cleaning her up,” the doctor answered. “Mom, I need you to push one more time.” He massaged her stomach, and Jeremy saw something else coming out.
“What’s that?” Jeremy asked, momentarily forgetting everything he’d read and learned in childbirth classes.
