He groans. “I'm doing the right thing, right, Cramp? I mean Sidra's pregnant and she should be my wife.”
I look at him, sternly; questioningly. I remember his proposal earlier and I can’t remember him telling Sidra he loves her during it.
“And you love her.”
“And I… love her,” Matthew says, unconvincingly.
I shake my head. “You better figure this out and soon, Toad. Remember what you said when I told the family about the first time I saw Mariah?”
Matthew smirks. “No, but I'm sure you do.”
“You have to do something about the engagement before you hurt these women. You can't marry a woman you don't love and let this new girl just fall away, Cramp,” I remind him.
“I said that?” His grin tells me that he remembers he did.
“Yes, you did. Ironic, huh? Especially after your proposal.”
“You're right. I'll talk to Madison. I’m marrying Sidra. I may have to roll her down the aisle if we wait too long,” Matthew chuckles. “Maybe we should elope. I know I want it done before the baby comes, so that gives us five months.”
An alarm goes off in my head. Oh, no... not now. Shit!
“What?” Matthew frowns at me. “What are you remembering?”
I take deep breath. Please let me be wrong. “When is Sidra due,” I ask quietly.
“December fourteenth.”
Shit... I am right.
“Matthew,” I groan and put my fingers between my brows.
“What!”
“You were in England with Dad for a few weeks this earlier this year. Can you remember the dates?”
“In March. Um... let's see. Around the twentieth of March, I think. I'd have to check,” he murmurs, pulling out his phone. He taps a few times. “From the fifteenth to the fifth of April.”
Shit. This is going to kill him.
“Nurse? Page Dr. Brand for me, please.”
“He's in with your wife, Dr. Alexander. Should I check how long it will be before he finishes?”
“Please,” I murmur with a nod. She walks in the direction of Mariah's room.
Matthew grabs my arm and turns me back to him. “Why do you need Rob? What's going on?”
Rob and the nurse walk toward the reception desk as Rob writes fast in a chart then gives it to the nurse, murmuring something to her. He walks swiftly to Matthew and me.
“I heard she woke, Marcus. Congratulations,” Rob grins, glass-eyed. He looks at my face and frowns. “What is it? What did Melvin say?”
“It's not Mariah. Let's see if anyone's in the on-call room.”
We walk into the room and a couple of interns are pawing each other.
“Take it to another room! And learn how to lock a fucking door,” I shout as they scramble out. I lock the door and turn to Matthew. That didn’t amuse him. His face is hard, annoyed.
“This isn't easy for me, but you're my brother; I have to.”
“Spit it out, Cramp,” Matthew snaps.
I look at Rob. “If a woman were pregnant and her EDD were December fourteenth, what would you estimate her conception date to be?”
Rob frowns. “Let's see,” he mumbles some months and quiets. “If she has a 28-day cycle, I'd say March... twenty-third.”
“What if it wasn't a 28-day cycle,” I ask as I grimace at a paling Matthew.
“Then she conceived shortly before or after that date.”
“What range,” Matthew quietly asks.
“Few days either way is easily acceptable, though I doubt it's that far away,” Rob says. “Is Sidra pregnant? I heard about your engagement.”
Matthew nods. “I was in England during those dates. It's not mine. Fuck,” he shouts, dropping on a bed. He puts his head in his hands.
“Matthew...”
“I'm fine, Marcus,” he mumbles. “What do I do? Do I still marry her?”
Rob snorts. “I wouldn't.”
“Rob!”
“What, Marcus,” he shouts, snapping his head at me. “She cheated! If she hadn't gotten pregnant, he never would’ve known. He'd be raising a child that wasn't his and not known it. That is unforgivable. Don't you remember what I went through with Carol Mullins junior year at Stanford?” He frowns. “What am I talking about? Of course you do,” he murmurs and stalks out of the room.
“Matthew, you have to talk to Sidra, sooner the better. Go get her and get out of here.”
He nods and goes to the sink and cleans his face.
“I did love her, you know,” he says quietly. “In my way.”
“I do know. And I'm sorry about everything.”
He nods again. We leave the room and Matthew walks determinedly to the conference room. I walk in, but Matthew only sticks his head through, looking around.
“Sweets? I need to talk to you. Please, come with me.”
Sidra smiles as she takes Matthew's hand and I watch as they walk silently to the elevator.
“Marcus,” Mother calls. “Is everything all right?”
“I don't know,” I lie, purposely not looking at her. I glimpse at Joshua who is studying my face.
‘Talk,’ he mouths. I nod subtly. I look around and the guys are already standing.
We walk down to the on-call room. “Where's Ethan?”
“I told him to call home. He's been away from Lissa and Wally all day,” Tom says.
“Shit. I don't want to do this again. Somebody catch him up later.”
They nod and I take a deep breath.
“What's going on, Marcus?” Russell asks.
“It's Sidra. She's pregnant.”
“That's good news. Good for Matthew,” Nathan says.
“Wait... something's wrong,” Joshua says, frowning at me. “What else is there? What are you trying to tell us?”
“It’s Matthew. It's not his baby.”
“What the fuck, Cramp,” Joshua yells. “What do you mean it's not his baby? Whose is it?”
“Well? Who else was she screwing,” Tom shouts.
“I don't know!”
“She's your nanny,” Nathan argues.
“What she does outside her time in my employ is never my business. Hell, I didn't even know she was with Matthew until a week ago!”
I’m betting Mariah knew.
“Wait... how do you know it's not Matthew's? Isn't it too early for all that diagnostic shit you doctors do?”
“Russ, it isn't too early if you remember your brother was England with his father when the baby was conceived.”
“Shit,” Joshua yells. “Where did he take her?”
“I don't know but I think it's safe to say that engagement is off.”
“It should be!” Tom snorts. “There is no excuse for cheating. None. Ring or not!”
“God, this is a nightmare,” Nathan murmurs. “I couldn't imagine if one of my sons weren't mine.”
“Neither could I,” we all say, shaking our heads.
“I think we all should keep quiet about this for now. Let Matthew do this in his way. Let's go back to the conference room; maybe he'll come back.”
They nod and we quietly go to the conference room. I look around the room and see Madison holding Lisa and Mandy's hands. One by one the men hug her and apologize for excluding her.
“Where's AJ and Henry, Madison?”
She smiles at the mention of her sons. “With Mommy. She's bringing them with Daddy tomorrow. Kristen, Tony, Eric and Jason should be landing in a couple of hours. I hope that's all right.”
I walk over to her and squat. “Madison...” I start, guilt filling me, forcing me to stop. I take a deep breath. “We love you and your family very much. I didn't mean to forget you, but everything has been... hectic, to say the least. Someday I hope to fill you in, but right now... I just can't. I pray something like this never, ever happens again, but if it does... if anything happens, I promise you are the first one I call. You, and your family, are always welcome here.”
She gives me a tiny smile. “Thank you, Marcus. I ca
n understand the chaos that must have been going on.” She squeezes my hand. “I'm all right. Let's just focus on Mariah now.”
I give her a hug then take my seat.
A cell goes off and Vera jumps. She answers it breathlessly. “Sidra? Where are you?”
I look around at the men. Vera has their undivided attention.
“What,” Vera shrieks. “Why? ... Oh, Sidra, Sidra, Sidra! ... Are you sure? ... What girl? ... Jesus ...” her eyes slyly cut to Madison. “Yeah, I've heard about, um, that. Will you be all right? ... I'm sorry you did, too ... It was the right to do, Sidra ... I know, baby. I know ... Yes, I'll meet you there ... I'll ask him. We'll leave now.” She ends the call and looks at Stacy.
“We have to go. Sidra needs us,” Vera says quietly.
“What's wrong, Vera? Is she all right,” Dannie asks, standing.
“Yes and no.” Vera walks to me and I stand. “Marcus, no doubt you know what's happened and I thank you for your discretion. Please allow me to visit Mariah and your family again, soon.”
“Of course, Vera. Anytime.”
“Is it all right if Sidra comes by to say goodbye to the kids?”
“Is that what she wants to do?”
She nods and whispers, “It would be uncouth for her to remain in your employ or even friendly with your family after this, don't you think?”
I nod. “I'm sorry it worked out like this, Vera. Mariah will be devastated.”
“I know. Sidra is too but she's not... she's going to talk to him.” She looks at Madison. “Maybe it’ll end well for everyone.”
I nod again and she hugs me.
“Goodbye, everyone. I hope to see you all soon,” Vera says, moving to the door.
Marsha hugs me and gives me a couple of business cards. “Please keep me posted on my cousin and give one to Matthew, in case he finds something.”
“As soon as possible. Thanks for coming.”
“No, Marcus. Thank you.” She grins as she walks to Rachel and hugs her.
After the Daniels family leave, my mother cuts her eyes to me.
I smirk. “Hey, guys. I think there's something we know that Mother doesn't.”
“Wow. How does that feel, Mother,” Joshua grins.
“About as good as me sending Mandy to Japan for a month.”
The grin vanishes. The room is flooded with laughter.
“Marcus, I demand to know what's going on,” Mother says in a voice that hasn't frightened me in twenty-five years.
“Sorry, Mother. I don't think it's my place to confirm or deny anything,” I grin.
“God,” Mother groans. “You really are the biggest cramp there is!”
The room erupts into raucous laughter at my expense and I join in. It feels great.
Chapter SIXTEEN
Congratulations, Matthew and Madison!
The minutes slowly tick by and I get antsy waiting for Mariah to awaken again and for word from Matthew. Silence in a room full of people speaks volumes.
Suddenly Matthew bursts through the conference room doors and shuts them firmly behind him. He looks around the room and walks over to Mother.
I put my finger over my mouth at Madison. She frowns as I stand in front of her. I have a feeling Matthew is about to let it all out. Sidra's a nice girl, and may have been okay with Matthew, but it's about time these two got together and stayed that way.
“Nice view,” Madison whispers and the others giggle. I shake my head and chuckle. Madison will never change. Good.
Joshua grins and stands next to me. “You could still see a corner of her. Let's hope he doesn't fuck this up,” he whispers.
“That's even better,” Mandy murmurs.
“You're biased,” Lisa murmurs.
“All fucking day.”
“Biased or not,” Madison sighs. “It is a nice ass.”
Joshua reddens then turns and smiles at them. I hear the women continue their chatting but I focus on Matthew's words.
“I never want to see this again. I put it on the wrong woman's hand and I won't use it again. Maybe one of the grandchildren will.”
Mother looks in her hand, staring disbelievingly at the ring.
“Son, what happened,” Dad asks, looking stunned and relieved at the same time.
“It's not my baby, Dad. She loves the real father.” Matthew turns to me, laughing. “Can you believe it's Dawson? They've been off and on for years!”
“And why are you so happy,” Joshua asks.
A wide grin spreads across his face and his eyes dance. “Cause I'm free, Twerp! I'm finally free!” He turns back to Mother. “I need the jet again.”
She frowns at him. “Okay, but where are you going, honey?”
“Chicago! You were right, Mother. I love Madison. I have since the day I met her and I have to see if she's still free.”
I hear a gasp behind me.
“Do you now think she feels the same, son,” Dad asks, smiling.
“God, I hope so, Dad. The timing's always been off but... I gotta get out of here. I can't wait to get to her. She's not answering her cell and she's been off the air for hours. Fuck, I hope she's not on a date again!” He turns to me again. “Call me if there's any change with Cookie.”
“Matthew.”
“What, Cramp,” he whines and frowns his face at me. “Oh, come on! Don't throw a wrench in this, now! I love her, with everything in me. It is not going away!”
“Are you sure this is what you want to do? You want to be with Madison and no one else, right?”
“More than anything, ever,” Matthew insists. “It's like you guys and your wives. I guess I loved Sidra but not like this, not like Madison. Do you know how I ache for her? I have to get out of here, Cramp. I have to explain about the baby and the ring and pray she marries me anyway.”
I feel a hand push me aside then Madison stands between Joshua and me.
“Tell me what about a baby and ring,” Madison asks.
“Maybe we should go. Give them some privacy,” I say to the room.
“No fucking way,” Tom snorts. “I want to hear this.”
Matthew looks totally shocked. “Guess I won't be needing that jet after all.”
“What baby, Matthew,” Madison asks, staring at Matthew.
“Sidra’s pregnant. Thanks to the best brother in the world, I found out it's not mine.”
“Always when I'm in the room,” Joshua mutters.
“Shh!” Madison frowns and hits his arm. “If this goes right, the cobwebs are history. So shut up and let that happen as soon as possible.”
“A little desperate, Madison,” Joshua asks, grinning.
“Little bit. Three long and lonely years, Twerp. Now shut it,” she growls back.
A laugh goes around the room. Matthew shoves his hands in his pockets. Bad move, Toad. Easily recognized nervous response.
“Go on, Matthew,” Madison says softly. “You were saying?”
“I asked her to marry me and she accepted. I told Marcus her due date and he reminded me that I was in England with Dad at the time the baby was conceived. I'm sorry to say I gave her my grandmother's ring.”
Madison takes a step forward. “And she's okay? Sidra, I mean.”
“She's wonderful. She's in love with her baby's father,” he murmurs as he takes a step toward her.
Madison walks toward Matthew and stops at his side. He turns his body to face her. She tilts her head and gives him a long look. Nodding, she grabs a chair and places it behind him.
“Have a seat, Mr. Cannon,” Madison commands.
Matthew frowns but sits. He opens his mouth to say something but Madison shakes her head and grabs another chair. She places that one directly in front of Matthew and sits. She takes a deep breath and her hand goes up and down in front of her face. I saw her do that exercise before her show in Chicago, right before she annihilated a senator, live on-air.
“Ut-oh,” Nathan murmurs. “I remember this from when we saw her anchor in Chicago. Outs
ide of Marcus, anyone else remember that live interview she did?”
Matthew turns to us with a frown. “What?”
“You're in trouble,” Joshua whispers, shaking his head. “She's going journalist on you. Rapid-fire.”
This is going to be great. The others look like they agree. Some of them have their cells out, recording. Monica moves to the side of me; her view captures the both of them, sideways.
Madison's eyes pop open and her expression has changed. She crosses her legs, her hands fold together and she rests them on her lap.
“Mr. Cannon… so you think you love me,” she asks in a commanding tone.
Matthew smiles at her. “I know I do. You're all I've ever wanted; everything I've always wanted in a woman.”
Her eyes narrow and her lips thin. Matthew drops the smile quick.
“When did that proposal happen?”
“This morning. She told me about the baby and I proposed.”
“Short, clipped answers, Mr. Cannon,” Ethan murmurs behind Madison. She turns and gives him a glare that chills me.
“Just making sure my client doesn't fuck up, Ms. Copeland.”
Still staring at Ethan, she asks, “You think you need counsel, Mr. Cannon?”
“Yep,” he smiles but drops it when she turns back to him. She shakes her head and continues.
“Whatever. With your grandmother's ring?”
He twitches his mouth. “Yes.”
“Was the ring intended for you? To give to the woman you wanted to spend your life with?”
He nods. “It was.”
“Your active social life, that's over?”
“Completely.”
“The flirting? Innuendos and such?”
“Only with you.”
“I don't want my husband gallivanting across the world at any given moment. That means your FBI career is finished. That is not a request.”
Matthew frowns. “How did you know about that?”
“I said that's done, Mr. Cannon,” Madison says, like a reprimanding third grade teacher. I'm almost feeling sorry for Matthew, now. Almost.
Matthew holds up his hands as if he's being robbed. “It's done. I just quit.”
“What happened in court today?”
Damn, she's good.
“Charges were dropped,” Matthew murmurs, clearly confused and/or impressed.
Marcus: The M Series, Book Three Page 32
