Love In Strange Places

by Ancelli

  Shannon was about to say something, but was stopped by the sound of her son running up behind her.

  “Tio.” Matthew took his uncle’s hand and pulled him inside the house. “I’ve missed you.”

  Andrew passed Shannon to follow Matthew. “I’ve missed you, too.”

  He kept pulling him along. “You made my aunty cry. Now you have to make it better.” Matthew opened the guest bedroom door.

  Sherry was lying down with Makayla caressing her stomach. They’d been watching cartons and they both looked up at the same time.

  “Uncle Andrew!” Makayla jumped off the bed and ran up to him. He picked her up.

  She pressed her nose against his. “Nose, nose, Uncle.”

  “Hey, princess.” He kissed her cheek and put her down, staring at Sherry the entire time.

  Matthew grabbed his sister’s hand. “Come on, Makayla.”

  “No, I want to play with the baby.”

  Matthew forcefully pulled her out of the room and closed the door, leaving the adults alone.

  Andrew found he didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t prepared to see the look of sadness and disappointment in his wife’s eyes.

  “Get out.”

  “Sherry, we need to talk.” Other than to speak, he didn’t move a muscle.

  “There is nothing to talk about. You made it perfectly clear.” She turned her back toward him.

  “Words can’t express how truly sorry I am for the things I said and the way I treated you—” He placed his hands in his back pockets.

  “Regret? It’s too late. Just leave.”

  He didn’t want to make her upset or cause her blood pressure to elevate. His only course was to leave it alone for now. He opened the door, “I love you and I don’t regret one second I spent with you.”

  As he closed the door, Matthew ran up to him with Shannon close behind. “Did you fix it, Tio?”

  Andrew bent down and kissed his nephew’s forehead. “No. Thanks, Shannon.” He marched to the door and grabbed the handle.

  ***

  Sherry got up and watched from the bedroom window as Andrew left the house. How could someone you love with all your heart, hurt you so much?

  Shannon entered her room. “I’m sorry about that. Matthew let him in.”

  “It’s okay.” She turned to face her. “I’ll be signing the lease today.”

  “You don’t have to leave.”

  “I know, but I need my own space. Somewhere he can’t find me.”

  “I understand.”

  Sherry wobbled to the bed and sat. “Why didn’t you tell me love could hurt so much?”

  Shannon hugged her. “I’m so sorry.”

  “If I’d known then what I know now, I wouldn’t have opened my heart. All those years I never let anyone in and the one time I do, I let some jerk—who didn’t like me in the first place—break it to pieces.” She backed away from her sister’s embrace. “I guess he got what he wanted out of that contract.” She rubbed her stomach.

  Shannon cupped her face. “Andrew loves you. I’ve never seen him so vulnerable over a woman, or anything. He made a huge mistake, but he wants you back.”

  “It’s too late.”

  “Is it?”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “Sherry, please talk to me.” She listened to Andrew’s tenth message for the day, but she was done. She’d done all the crying she was going to do over a man. She was going to be strong for the babies.

  Andrew had gone to Matt and Shannon’s house, pleading to talk to her again, but she couldn’t. He’d sent her flowers, chocolate, teddy bears, and gifts. They were all thrown into the trash unopened, except for her favorite chocolate. It had been a month since he’d walked out on her, and she finally had a new routine down. Shannon and Tiffany were always there to lend a hand, and Dewayne had become her friend the last few weeks.

  There was a knock on her door, and the door opened as Dewayne came through. “Hey, lets go to lunch,”

  Her office phone rang and she answered without looking at the caller ID. “Good morning, Tech-Source, this is Sherry Jones. How may I help you?”

  “Sherry, please don’t hang up.” Andrew’s voice came through the line. “I’ve given you time. I miss you.”

  She laughed. “You miss me?”

  “I was a fool. Please don’t give up on us.”

  “You were the one who gave up on me the moment you attacked me without even giving me the benefit of the doubt.” She took a breath.

  “I was wrong.”

  “Andrew, listen to me. Live your life and I’ll live mine,” she sighed. “I’m going to tell you this for the last time. We’re over!”

  There was silence.

  She continued, wanting to say it all, get it over with. “Once the baby is born, you can have your DNA test. I guess that will be one regret that will last a lifetime.” She hung up. “Dewayne, lets go to lunch.”

  ***

  He sat behind his desk, staring at the phone. Was it really over? Had he lost the only woman he’d ever loved? She didn’t want anything to do with him. She doesn’t love me anymore. I didn’t mean to hurt her. My pride, ego got in my way. Dad always told me not to make the same mistakes he made. He said fight for the woman you love and that is what I’m going to do.

  He was man enough to know he’d made a mistake. Dean’s wife could’ve made up some of the story. Why hadn’t he heard her out, or better yet why hadn’t he stopped and thought before acting? I’m a fucking lawyer. I know better. There’s always two sides to a story.

  “I need my wife back,” he whispered to himself.

  “Sorry, brother, but I think it’s too late.” Matt walked into his office.

  Andrew just stared at him.

  “Like you, Sherry is hard-headed. Even if she wanted to forgive you, her pride and ego will not let her.” He sat. “You need to get yourself together.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I’ve heard you’ve been giving all your cases to Jason and John. You have that big case coming up. You need to focus. Let her go. She’s trying to move on.”

  “So now you’re telling me to give up.”

  “No, I’m saying take a break. You need to be at your best when your baby arrives.”

  “Man, you don’t know how much I already love that baby. I wish I could take back everything I said to her.” Andrew covered his face with his hands. “I could never regret getting married to her, or our baby.”

  “Do you believe she cheated on you?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Andrew, if you can’t trust her then it’s better that it ended. Like you told me years ago, you can be great parents and not live under the same roof.”

  “Don’t use my words against me.” Andrew chuckled.

  “I’m right. You’ll make a great father.”

  “I hope so. I can’t wait to hold him or her.” He knew his face must show how excited he was. “I hope she calls me when it’s time.”

  “If she doesn’t, I will.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “This pasta is really good.” Sherry said digging into her food. Tiffany and Shannon had convinced her to try a new, upscale Italian restaurant.

  They just stared at her in amazement. “Damn, girl, are you sure you’re just eating for two and not three?” Tiffany asked, taking a bite of vegetables.

  Sherry stared at Shannon and smiled.

  “How many pounds have you gained, Sherry?”

  She wiped her mouth. “Forty-one, but I excise every day.”

  “Damn, Sherry, forty pounds? I only gained fifteen pounds in my whole pregnancy and you have two more months to go.” Tiffany laughed.

  “Whatever. I can’t help it. The cravings are getting worse.” Sherry took another bite of her food.

  “Yeah right, blame it on cravings. It’s going take you forever to loose the baby fat.”

  “I’m not fat.” Sherry rubbed her tummy.

  “I was on
ly kidding. You’re beautiful no matter what.” Tiffany patted her hand.

  “You know you didn’t have to move out?” Shannon gave her that concerned look again.

  “I know, but I needed my own space.”

  “Did Andrew call you again?” Shannon asked.

  “Nope, not since I told him to go fuck himself.” She could tell they didn’t believe her.

  “Why didn’t you tell me he called again? What did he want?” Tiffany asked.

  “He called to apologize again, but I can’t.”

  “Why?” Shannon asked.

  “Because of the things he said to me.” She wiped her mouth with a napkin. “We’ve insulted each other in the past, but he never, ever disrespected me like the way he did that day. He called me names—and the paternity thing.”

  “He was angry. You know people say things they don’t mean when they’re angry,” Tiffany said.

  “If I forgive him, what keeps him from doing it again the next time he gets mad at me?”

  “Give him a chance. Everybody deserves a second chance,” Shannon said.

  “No. Loving him hurts too much, so I’m choosing to hate him.”

  “He calls Matt all the time checking up on you and the baby.”

  “He does?” she asked, surprised. “I mean on the baby.”

  Tiffany looked up and the color in her face drained, Shannon’s, too.

  “What?” She turned to see what they were staring at. It was Andrew and a blonde chick. He was gorgeous like always. His hand was on the small of her back.

  “Can you believe that shit,” Tiffany said. “Do you want me to kick his ass?”

  “You won’t have to, because I will,” Shannon said, about to get up.

  “Neither of you will do any such thing. He’s allowed to date. He’s single,” said Sherry, her eyes tearing up. Fucking hormones.

  ***

  Once the hostess sat Andrew across from his colleague, he surveyed the restaurant. Sherry.

  The waiter came over and introduced himself, then took their drink orders.

  Sherry was seated with her sister and best friend. He observed every detail. She’d gained weight, which was good. Her ankles were swollen, which was not.

  He turned his attention back to his colleague and they discussed a case. He caught Sherry staring at him, but as soon as she saw him looking, she turned. She dabbed her eyes with a napkin and stood. “Damn.” He said when he saw her stomach. It was huge, and she still had two more months to go.

  “What did you say?” She asked.

  “Nothing. Excuse me, I’ll be right back.” He stood and walked toward the back of the restaurant to the restrooms, deciding to wait for her.

  She exited the bathroom.

  “Sherry….”

  Her eyes met his. They were shiny with unshed tears. She went to walk away, but he gently grabbed her arm.

  She pulled away. “What do you want?” she asked angrily.

  “How are you?”

  “Great.” She glared at him. “If that’s all you need, I need to go.”

  “May I?” he asked, staring at her stomach.

  “Why would you? Remember, it may not be your baby.” She shot daggers at him.

  “Please.” He placed his hand on her stomach, and rubbed it until he woke the baby. The baby moved around. He swear he could feel tiny feet or hands. He chuckled. My baby.

  She had irritation written all over her face, but he needed this. He needed to feel close to his baby, to her, if just for a couple of minutes. He kneeled down and started talking to her stomach. “Hey baby, this is your daddy. I love you, and I can’t wait to see you.”

  People passed by and whispered, but he didn’t fucking care. The baby went crazy, and he saw Sherry place her hand behind her back. “The baby is very active. When do you start birth classes?”

  “I start in two weeks.”

  He stood and cleared his throat. “Who’s taking them with you?”

  “Shannon, but why do you care? Look, Andrew, you made it clear how you feel about me and my baby.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Leave me alone.” She turned and wobbled back to her table but didn’t sit. She said a couple words to Shannon and Tiffany, then grabbed her purse and left.

  He went back to his table. “Miriam, something came up and I have to leave. Dinner’s on me.” He placed money on the table and left. While he waited for the valet parking attendant, he called his brother. “Matt, where does she live?”

  “Who?”

  “Sherry.”

  “I can’t tell you. They’ll kill me.” Andrew gave the attendant a tip and got into his car. “Matt, please.”

  “Okay, but I didn’t give it to you.” Matt told him the address.

  He input the direction in his navigation and drove to her apartment.

  As he parked, he began to have second thoughts. What am I doing here? She doesn’t need me. He got out and walked into her lobby, waited impatiently for the elevator. I’m doing this for the baby, he told himself.

  Locating her door, he took a deep breath and rang the bell. He could hear her walking on the other side, and the door opened.

  “Andrew, what are you doing here? Who gave you my address?” She crossed her hands over her stomach. “I can’t trust anyone. Shouldn’t you be with your date?” She went to close the door, but he stopped her.

  “Sherry, can we put our differences aside, just for tonight?” He gently pushed by her, trying to grab her hands, but she wouldn’t let him.

  “Don’t touch me.”

  He strolled in and noticed her stuff where still in boxes and she hardly had any furniture, but a couch. “Do you need help unpacking?” He asked sitting down on her couch.

  “No.” She stood with her arms crossed her chest.

  “Your feet are swollen. Let me do this one thing for you.” He patted the seat next to him. “Sit. Let me rub your feet.”

  She glared at him for a few seconds before speaking. “They really hurt.” She walked over to him and he pulled her down next to him.

  He picked up her feet, placing them on his legs and started massaging them. “Does that feel better?”

  “Yes.” She moaned in relaxation. He could see the baby kicking. He continued rubbing her ankle with one hand and pushed up her shirt with the other. He smiled. He could actually see the tiny elbow, feet, or hands.

  “Beautiful.”

  She opened her eyes and they gazed at one another.

  “Is that the baby’s feet?” He touched the bump.

  “I think so.” She smiled, rubbing it.

  “Please let me help you just for tonight. Let me take care of you.” He kissed her stomach. She didn’t answer, which in his mind meant yes. He continued rubbing her ankles, to her calves and back down, wondering if she’d make him stop.

  Her phone rang and she decided to let the voice mail pick it up.

  He picked it up and handed it to her, and she listened to it.

  “Hey, Sherry, I’m sorry I missed our lunch date today, but I promise to bring you some homemade cookies tomorrow. Good night, sweetie.”

  He stopped massaging her ankles. “Who’s that?”

  She opened her eyes and stared at him. “None of your business.”

  “When another man is calling my wife, it’s my business,” Andrew said, clenching his jaw.

  Sherry pushed up a little. “You’re forgetting something. I’m no longer your wife.”

  “Sherry—”

  “Andrew, I think it’s time for you to leave.”

  He was pissed but he needed to control himself. He wouldn’t give up on her. He would not let another man have what was his. She wasn’t a possession, but she’d been created for him and only him. He would fight until the end.

  “Baby, I’m here for you.”

  “Don’t call me that.” She kicked his hand with her feet. “What are you waiting for, continue?”

  He smiled and continued massaging her feet. “You
like that?”

  “Mmm…I needed this,” she said with her eyes closed.

  He finished with her feet and ankles. “Let me get your shoulders.” He got up and pulled her forward a bit to sit behind her. He wrapped his arms around her stomach. “The baby’s grown in two months.”

  “You have no idea.” She put her hands over his. “Here….” She laughed. “That’s a foot.”

  “How do you know?”

  “The sonogram.”

  “Can I see the latest one?”

  “Yes, when you’re done with my shoulders.”

  She leaned back into him, and he massaged her arms. Moving up, he couldn’t resist her allure. His lips made their way to the back of her neck. From there, he kissed her all the way to her earlobe and she moaned. “Just for one night,” he whispered

  She turned her head and he devoured her lips, his tongue teasing her mouth to open and take him. She parted her lips slightly and he slipped his tongue in, connecting with his wife. She turned to the side and placed her hands in his hair, pulling him down to her, gently nipping at his bottom lip. “Just for tonight.”

  He helped her up and she led the way to her room. She stripped his clothes off. As she moved to take hers off, he stopped her. “Let me.”

  He slipped her T-shirt over her head and pulled down her pants. “Beautiful,” he said, gazing at her body. She’d gained weight, but it was all in her stomach, for the miracle they created. He went up to her and placed his hands on her belly. “My baby.”

  She placed her finger to his mouth. “Shh….”

  He sucked her finger. “Tonight you’re in control.”

  “Sit,” she said, taking off her panties, and then her bra.

  He got on the bed and sat with his back against the headboard. She climbed onto the bed, and she sat on his lap and began grinding on his already aroused cock.

  “I’m big,” she said.

  He chuckled. “Baby, you’re perfect. I can take all of you.” He kissed her.