Lessons Learned

by Amy Lynn Steele

  “Miss Apperson,” I greeted her curtly.

  “Hey Cooper,” she purred.

  I sighed and shook my head. “As I’ve told you many many times, please call me Mr. Perez.”

  She bit her bottom lip and smiled. “Sorry.”

  Pulling her paper from her bag, she made sure to bend over suggestively. I locked my eyes to the frame on my desk, at my gorgeous wife smiling at me. I sometimes get lost staring at her picture. In fact, I must have done just this because Whitney was now perched on my desk. Before I knew it, she bent in close to me, her chest uncomfortably close to me. I hadn’t even noticed she had moved, and suddenly her assets were in my face. Her blue eyes quickly noticed the frame.

  “She looks familiar,” she says slowly, snatching up the frame to examine the photo. “Is it your sister?” I didn’t grab at it because I knew that’s exactly what she wanted me to do.

  “No,” is the only answer I gave her and sat back in my chair, pushing away from my desk.

  She crossed her legs and set the frame back on my desk, photo side down. “She wouldn’t have to know a thing.” Her eyes grew wide and serious.

  I sighed and rubbed my hands over my face. I just wanted to go home to Allison. “Know about what?” I was stupid enough to ask.

  “Us,” Whitney said as she lunged toward me.

  I intercepted her move and grabbed her by the shoulders, pushing her back to the desk. She grabbed my forearms and pulled me toward her, her eyes closing and lips puckering. I wasn’t expecting that either. I turned my face away from hers just in time, which caused Whitney to press her mouth to my neck instead of her intended target. She looked confused for a moment, then smirked. I stiffened my arms and securely locked her in place.

  “Miss Apperson,” my voice was seething. “Leave now or fail my class and I’ll have to report this.” I removed my hands from her shoulders and took a step back.

  “I know you’re attracted to me,” she said and pushed her chest forward. “I’ve known it for years.”

  “No. I am not. And I’m not going to tell you again.”

  Her eyes evaluated me for a long moment before she hopped down from my desk and retrieved her bag. She turned to say something, but the words died in her mouth. The look on my face must have told her how serious I was. Whitney needed to pass this class or she wouldn’t be graduating in the spring. She must have remembered this before she yanked the door open and shut it behind her with frustrated force.

  I let out a long breath and put Allison’s picture back where it belonged. Glancing up at my door, I am was irritated to discover a shadow lurking in front of it. I stomped across the room and wrench the door open. My breath was caught in my lungs at the sight of my wife standing before me. Was it possible? Had I wanted her here so bad I conjured her? Her big dark brown eyes looked up at me and I could tell she was upset.

  “Here,” she mumbled and handed me a container filled with cookies.

  “Babe, what’s wrong?” I put my arm around her and pulled her into my tiny office. She felt cold and frail as I sat her on the small couch in the corner.

  “Whitney smelled So, Whitney Apperson is in your class, something you forgot to tell me. Oh, and she just left smelling like you climbed all over each other and looked like she took a quick roll in the hay,” she whispered.

  Oh shit. “I should have told you about her, but she just isn’t important enough to mention.” Ali didn’t look at me so I continued.

  “She tried to flirt with me and I kicked her out.” I pulled Ali’s limp hand to my chest and pressed it to my heart. “I love you.”

  “You’ve been lying to me Cooper,” her words were mixed with pain and accusation.

  Ali yanked her hand from me as though I had burned her. “Tried to flirt with you or did she actually succeed?” She took a step away from me. “Because that isn’t my lip mark on your neck.”

  She turned to leave, but I couldn’t stand the thought. I grabbed Ali’s arm and pulled her back into my tiny office. I closed the door with my foot and pressed Allison’s back into it. Pinning her hands to my chest, I quickly sealed my mouth lips over hers. I could feel the tension in her mouth as her hands tried to push me away, but I kept kissing her. With my mouth, I pleaded for her to relax. It took her a full minute for her to finally succumb to me. But eventually, Ali melted into my chest and returned the kiss.

  I kissed a trail from her mouth down her cheek and to her neck. Then I made my way back to her mouth.

  “Wait,” she struggled to say. “Cooper stop.” She turned her body away from me and left me feeling bereft. “You can’t just kiss this away. What happened between you and Whitney that had her smiling like she just won the lottery?”

  “She made a move on me and I rejected her and threatened to have her expelled.” I blurted the truth. I had nothing to hide.

  “She said she’d made you happy,” she whispered sadly. I could see the fear creep into Ali’s beautiful brown eyes.

  “Never babe,” I whispered and took her in my arms. “She just wanted to get to you, to cause problems.”

  “Well, she is still a proper bitch and you should drop her from her class.”

  I couldn’t help laughing at Allison’s words. “You are the only woman I can see.” I kissed the top of her head.

  A little color came back to her face as she looked at me. “I know. And I trust you. It’s just I forget that you are surrounded by beautiful woman all day who probably fantasize about teacher and student affairs.” Then she laughed a little. “I obviously can’t blame them.”

  “All I ever see is you babe. It has always only been you.” I kissed her cheek and she felt warmer. I inhaled the scent of coconut and fresh baked cookies.

  “I trust you Coop, it’s everyone else I don’t.” Ali admitted.

  I pulled her tighter to my chest. “Trust what we have together. There isn’t anything stronger than my love for you Allison. Nothing will break that.”

  Ali sighed and relaxed a little more. “Can we leave now? I don’t like being in a place where Whitney tried to make her disgusting moves on you.”

  “Of course, let’s go babe.” I quickly packed my laptop into my bag.

  Ali stood in the middle of my small office taking it all in. She’d been here before, but I had the feeling that tonight changed the romantic idea of me being a professor to her.

  “I hadn’t realized how excluded your office was from all the others,” she mentioned.

  “It’s the low-man-on-the-totem-pole office,” I explained. “The smallest and hardest to get to.”

  Ali smiled. “Come on, let’s go.”

  I gladly took her hand to lead her out of the tainted office. I couldn’t stand that Ali had been hurt by something a devious person like Whitney had tried to do. If I could I’d put her in a bubble that nothing awful could penetrate. I vowed to protect my wife and I will do everything in my power to do so. Even if that means not being able to give her everything she wants. Ali is my everything and I won’t risk her or us. Especially over something as stupid as Whitney Apperson.

  Chapter Eleven

  Allison

  “Thanks again for coming with me today,” Christina said as we waited for her to see her OBGYN.

  “Of course,” I squeezed her hand. I had to come to the hospital for one of my many heart checkups, so it made it had been simple and fun to bring my best friend to her appointment. Sean had a client he couldn’t reschedule, so we decided to make a girl’s day out of it with pedicures and lunch. This could possibly be her last appointment before my little niece or nephew was born.

  It was the end of May and the San Diego weather was sweet and warm. The last few months had flown by. At least they had for me. For Christina, they were dragging. School had ended a week ago for both Cooper and I and we were now settled into a wonderful routine of being newlyweds. We were both looking forward to the months of summer stretching out in front of us. I even had plans to take him to our beach later this week, t
he beach where we fell in love.

  Cooper’s mom, alas, had other plans for him. Danielle Perez was owner of one of the largest Mexican food restaurants in California, Arizona and New Mexico. It is the only chain that boasts a strictly organic menu featuring unique dishes with local fair. Over the past few years the chain had exploded and she was pressuring Cooper to take a more active role in the family business. He, however, was focused on his teaching career and didn’t feel the time was right, even though it was his legacy. He knew some day he’ll he’d be full time at Los Jalapeños, which is why I believe he was I think digging his heels in. He wanted to prolong pursuing his own dream before continuing his mother’s. He wanted to build something of his own.

  “Will you come in with me?” she asked. Christina had so many of these appointments, but her nerves were on edge because it was so close to her due date.

  “If you want me to,” I assured her.

  “Christina Harper,” a nurse holding a clipboard smiled from the hall. I hoisted Christina to her feet, which she hadn’t seen in months. She waddled down the hall and into an exam room where she struggled to get on the exam table. The nurse’s smile was still on her face, watching her plight. “The doctor will be in shortly.” She shut the door and Christina continued her struggle to climb onto the table.

  That’s when Christina’s water broke.

  Liquid made its way down her leg, creating a rather large puddle on the floor. We both could only stare at it, not really comprehending what we were seeing.

  “Did your…?” I couldn’t finish my sentence and found myself pointing at the growing puddle.

  Christina’s eyes were wide and filled with shock. “Get someone,” she hissed.

  My brain jumped into action, the situation finally sinking in. I pulled the exam room door open with such force that I was surprised it still hung on its hinges.

  “Help.” My voice squeaked, the fear seeping in over the reality of the situation.

  Every head in the hallway turned to look at me. The nurse that had led us back was closest. “What is it dear?” Her voice calm and placating.

  “Her water broke,” I blurted. I expected the nurse the run into the room, preparing to deliver the baby right away. Instead she smiled and nodded as she opened the door leading back to Christina. Hurry, I wanted to shout but I couldn’t find my voice.

  Christina stood above the small puddle, rubbing her hands over her very pregnant stomach. She didn’t look as freaked out as I felt. In fact, she looked serene. A small smile pulled at her mouth. She glanced up as we came back into the room. The nurse went to her side and started asking her questions, I couldn’t hear what they were saying, my brain was swimming with emotion. For a moment I thought I might pass out.

  “Ali,” Christina said turning to me. I blinked looking to her. “Can you call Sean and have him bring the hospital bag?”

  “Sean, hospital bag, you got it.” I fished through my purse looking for my phone. I finally found it and called him. Voicemail. I tried again and got the same.

  Two nurses were helping Christina into a wheelchair to take her to the Labor and Delivery wing of the hospital. She winced a little as she sat and tried to get comfortable. I unsuccessfully tried Sean again. Then, I dialed Cooper.

  “Hey sweetheart,” he answered. “Is everything all right?”

  “Well, Christina’s water broke and I can’t get a hold of Sean.” My voice sounded strangely calm, much calmer than I felt.

  “What? When?” Cooper practically shouted over the phone.

  How long had it been? Although it felt like it had happened a week ago, only about five minutes has passed. “Not long ago.”

  “I’ll call Sean,” he said firmly. “What else can I do?”

  I looked to Christina and the nurses who were waiting for me to go. “Can you bring the hospital bag?”

  Christina cocked a golden eyebrow. “Is that Sean?”

  I smiled. “Cooper is going to bring him here straight away.” No need to stress her out by letting her know I couldn’t get a hold of him.

  “He’s in a meeting,” her eyes growing wide. “What if he doesn’t make it in time.” I could see the panic instantly in her eyes. Then she grabbed her belly and tensed.

  “Ali? Allison what’s happening?” Cooper asked. Oops, I forgot I was still on the phone.

  “A contraction. I have to go.” I hung up and went to my friend. I clutched her hand in mine. “You are a strong and beautiful woman,” I told her. “You can do this.”

  “Hell yes I can.” She breathed. “But I really don’t want to right now.”

  It was a short walk to the Labor and Delivery wing of the hospital, though it felt like it took us hours to get there. Christina was checked into a nice room and slowly removed her clothes so I could help her put on her hospital gown.

  “Any word from Sean or Cooper?” Her voice was hopeful. I checked my phone.

  “Not yet, but Cooper will pull him out of that meeting and get him here as soon as possible.”

  Christina’s lovely face crumpled in pain again and she crushed my hand. Once the contraction passed I got her into her gown and into bed.

  “When can I have the drugs?” She asked with gritted teeth.

  I couldn’t help laughing. “Soon.”

  I hoped really soon for her sake. She wasn’t too far along yet, but if it was this painful this early, I could only imagine how the next few hours would be. I slid my phone out of my pocket to send Cooper a quick message.

  Any update on finding Sean?

  He wasn’t at home when I picked up the bag. I’m heading to his office now. Still not answering phone.

  If he’s not there can you bring Christina’s bag to the hospital?

  Of course.

  A nurse wearing light blue scrubs was taking Christina’s blood pressure and had fetal monitors to put around her belly. Next she inserted an IV. I had to turn away for that. Sure, I’ve had major heart surgery, but needles still freak me out.

  “You can turn around now Ali,” Christina laughed from her bed.

  I smiled genuinely for the first time since Christina’s water broke and I could feel the color return to my cheeks. I pulled a chair to the edge of the bed and took her needle-free hand. I squeezed it and we both smiled. Since we were little we had always talked about being in each other’s weddings, buying houses next to each other and raising our kids together. We’d have our babies on the same day, of course, and they’d either be best friends or get married. We had planned all this at the ripe age of eight. A smile spread wide over my oldest friend’s face, knowing we were both thinking the same thing. Our plan from fifteen years ago wasn’t going according to how we envisioned it. But one thing was the same. We were still standing by each other all these years later.

  Chapter Twelve

  Cooper

  “Sean, answer your damn phone!” I just about yelled at his voicemail. I had stopped by his office and the receptionist told me the meeting had been moved, but she wasn’t clear where. I left a message with her for him to contact me the second he walked in. Pulling into a spot in the hospital parking lot, I hoisted Christina’s hospital bag from the passenger seat.

  Inside I gave my information to the nurse at the desk and she in turn phoned Christina’s room to see if I could come back. She pointed me in the direction and Ali stuck her head out from behind a door. As soon as I saw her I felt more at ease. I dropped Christina’s bag on the floor and took my wife in my arms. I kissed her hair then pulled her back so I could kiss her mouth. She smiled and blushed.

  “How are you holding up?” I asked in a hushed tone.

  She shrugged. “Better now, and way better than Christina is doing.” She bent to pick up the bag, but I took it from her. “I still can’t get through to Sean and Christina is getting worried.”

  “He won’t miss this,” I assured her. I didn’t know where Sean was at the moment, but I knew that somehow he’d be here for the birth of his child. “Shoul
d I keep looking or do you want me to stick around?”

  “Cooper Ryan Perez,” Christina shouted. “Get in here.”

  My eyebrows shot up my forehead and my eyes widened. Christina sounded frantic, in pain and pissed. Basically a bunch of the emotions that scare guys the most about women. Ali gave me a sympathetic look and shrugged. I held the bag in front of me like a shield and followed Ali into the dimly lit room. Christina kept her eyes on the door a beat after we entered, almost expecting Sean to follow us in.

  “I got your bag,” I offered, trying to get in her good graces. Couldn’t find the father of your child, but I brought you this instead. I added a smile.

  Christina sighed. “Thanks Coop. You’re a gem.”

  “It’s the least I can do for you Christina,” I told her as I kissed the top of her head. Almost four years ago this girl was a student in my class, the biggest silent supporter of Ali and I when she found out all the details of our romance. Then she started dating my best friend and I found myself liking her more and more. She is family to Ali and now family to me.

  “Cooper,” she whispered as she took my hand. “He didn’t run did he?” She wasn’t looking at me when she asked this, but I could hear the unshed tears that clogged her throat.

  I knelt next to the bed and squeezed her hand. “No Christina. He’d never do that to you or the baby,” I assured her. A small smile played over her mouth. “He loves you.”

  “Thanks,” she said as two crystal tears ran over her flushed cheeks. I stood to cross the room, Ali taking me by the hand and smiling.

  “I love you,” she mouthed. I winked at her and mouthed it back.

  I set the bag on a small table and let Ali take over the unpacking. She immediately started to pull all kinds of things from it and spread them around. Once I saw feminine pads I moved to the window. That was my cue to pull out my phone and check for a missed call or text message. No such luck.