“Promise me that you’ll come back in one piece.”
“I promise.”
After another long hug and a kiss Miguel turned and left. Alex stood there as the tears rolled down her cheeks for fear that it may be the last time she saw Miguel.
Eden was nibbling on a cracker when Miles poked his head inside her office.
“Hey, Handsome.” Eden smiled.
Miles walked inside closing the door behind him.
“Why didn’t you tell me it was Ryan?”
Eden looked down at the floor. She had hoped that she would never have to tell Miles it was Ryan. She knew now that every time Miles saw Ryan he would be picturing them in bed together.
“You said you didn’t need to know and how did you find out anyway?”
“Your brother and Ryan were fighting in the parking lot and Migs blurted it out.”
“Oh Miles, I’m so sorry.”
Eden stood up to walk over to Miles but before she got around her desk she felt like she was going to vomit. She grabbed the pail, stuck her head inside and spewed out her crackers.
Miles quickly grabbed the pail and rubbed Eden’s back until she finished vomiting. Then Miles grabbed for some tissues, wiped her face and put down the pail, before hugging her.
“I’m sorry I upset you. I love you, Baby.”
“If I could go back, if I knew that we had a chance I…”
“We’re together now and we’ll get through this.”
“I think you should go with Miguel.”
“What?”
“I don’t want to keep you from doing things because I’m pregnant.”
“You’re not keeping me from going.”
“No, my brother is.”
“Eden, I love you and I love this baby. This is where I should be.”
“If I wasn’t pregnant would you go?”
“Maybe.”
“Then go.”
“Eden, are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“I don’t know what I ever did to deserve you.”
“You loved me even after that day I bit you.” Eden giggled.
Miles held Eden in his arms.
“I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
“We’ll miss you.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Miguel, Dane and Jakey were getting buckled up when Miles came rushing onto the plane.
Dane looked up. “Miles, I thought you were staying back.”
Miguel stood up.
“Me too. What do you think you’re doing?” Miguel growled.
“Eden sent me. She insisted I come with you.”
“What did you say to make her feel guilty enough to say that?”
“Migs, don’t be a dick. I didn’t say a word. She brought it up and she is the one who decided to send me packing.”
Dane walked over and handed both Miguel and Miles a drink. Jakey followed and handed Dane a drink.
“Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your Team.”
Miguel raised his glass.
“Honored to have you, Jakey.”
The four men clinked their glasses together before they buckled up and headed out to find Simmons.
ALMOST TWO WEEKS HAD passed by and not a word from Miguel or Miles. Today was the day that Eden was going to have the paternity of the baby tested. The doctor told her that if Miles wasn’t there to give a DNA sample that Ryan could and if he wasn’t a match then they would know for sure that it was Miles’ child. Eden took a deep breath before knocking on Ryan’s door to ask him to go with her to the doctor’s office.
“Can I come in?”
Ryan looked up from his pile of paperwork. He hadn’t seen much of Eden lately as it seemed that she was trying to avoid him.
“So you’re not avoiding me today?”
Eden walked in and sat down.
“I’ve never avoided you, Ryan.”
“Up until a few weeks ago I’d see you several times a day and I think I’ve only seen you three times in the last two weeks.”
“Ok, well maybe I was avoiding you but it wasn’t intentional.”
“It’s ok. I know things have been a bit difficult lately.”
“Ryan, with Miles still not back I need your help.”
“Help?”
“Yes. I need you to come with me today to the doctor’s office.”
“Is something wrong?”
“I need your DNA for the paternity test.”
“Sure, whatever you need.”
“I didn’t want to have to bother you with this but without Miles…”
Ryan stood up and walked over to Eden and held her hand.
“Eden, you’re never a bother to me and whether or not this is my baby I will always be your friend.”
Eden stood up and hugged Ryan.
“Thank you.”
Alex sat in Miguel’s office doing her work. She missed him terribly and grew more and more concerned as each day passed without a word from him.
Faith strolled in carrying a cup of tea for Alex.
“Here, I thought a warm cup of tea might settle your nerves.”
“It’s that apparent?”
“You could say that.”
“Oh Faith, I’m scared and I miss him. I don’t think I’ve slept in weeks.”
“I’m sure they’re alright. It is just too dangerous for them to contact you while they are on a mission.”
“I know.”
“Why don’t I come over tonight and we can do a girls’ night before McHottie comes back?”
Alex giggled. “Sure.”
Faith kissed Alex on the cheek.
“I will see you at seven.”
“Thanks, Faith.”
“That’s what besties are for.”
“Hello, Eden.”
“Hi, Doctor.”
“Should we wait for Miles to begin?”
“Miles is traveling so he won’t be coming.”
“Should I assume that this is the other potential father?”
“Oh yes, I’m sorry. I’m so nervous. This is Ryan.”
Ryan extended his hand to the doctor and the two shook.
“I’m here to do whatever you need.”
“I will need to collect some DNA so that we can see if it is a match for this little one and if not then it is safe to assume that the child is Miles’.”
“Yeah, that’s what we are all hoping.” Ryan looked away. He felt torn.
“First, let’s take a peek at the baby.”
Ryan stood to the side while the doctor rubbed the jelly on Eden’s stomach and then began to do the scan.
Eden watched the monitor smiling at her baby. Then suddenly out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of Ryan standing there looking…well she wasn’t even sure what the expression was on his face.
“Ryan, are you ok?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Do you want to see the baby?”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I don’t want Miles to be upset.”
“He won’t be upset.”
“Alright then.”
Ryan walked over and Eden held his hand.
“It’s so tiny?”
“Yeah. I can’t believe that’s the baby.”
The doctor printed pictures and handed one to Eden and one to Ryan.
“I will be right back to collect the samples.”
Ryan helped Eden sit up. He looked down at the picture in his hand and then at Eden. She smiled and before Ryan knew what he was doing he had kissed her.
Eden started to kiss Ryan back but then suddenly she pulled away.
“Oh my God. Ryan…”
“I’m sorry. I got caught up in the moment. It won’t happen again.”
“So did I and I’m sorry. I know this has to be harder on you than me. No matter who the father is, I am still this baby’s mother.”
“Eden, if this baby is mine would you marry
me…instead?”
Eden’s mouth hung open. She didn’t even know how to answer that question. Luckily the doctor walked back in.
“So we just need to collect some samples from you Ryan and then you two can be on your way.”
The doctor led Ryan over to a chair to sit down.
“How long before we will know?”
“It usually takes five to ten days.”
“Will you call me as soon as you get the results?”
“Of course I will.”
The doctor drew some blood and swabbed the inside of Ryan’s cheek.
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“Eden, I will talk to you soon. Ryan, it was a pleasure meeting you.”
“Goodbye, Doctor.”
“Likewise.”
As soon as the doctor closed the door that unanswered question needed to be discussed.
“Ryan, I would never keep you from your baby but I’m in love with Miles. I always have been.”
“I know. It was stupid of me to…”
“No, it was very sweet. For the record, if I had to pick anyone but Miles to have a baby with I’d choose you.”
Ryan hugged Eden.
“Not exactly the words every man wants to hear but thank you.”
“Can I buy you dinner, Ryan?”
“I’m not very hungry but if you want to eat I will hang out while you eat.”
“I’m not really hungry either. I think what I really need is a nap.”
“Let me get you home then.”
Ryan was relieved that he didn’t have to sit through dinner with Eden. His feelings were all over the place and what he really needed was a drink.
Faith kicked the door until Alex came to open it.
“Good God, what took you so long?”
Alex looked at Faith and laughed. Faith had a bag from the ice cream shop hanging from one arm with a twelve pack in her hand and the other hand was holding a pizza and a large bakery box.
“Jeez, if I knew you were going to show up at my door all loaded up like a pack mule I would have had it open and waiting.”
“How long have we been friends…I mean this is how I always roll to sleepovers.” Faith winked.
“True, very true.”
Alex grabbed the pizza and bakery box and kicked the door closed with her foot.
Faith put down the beer and the ice cream and then she took off her coat.
“Faith, you went out dressed like that?”
Faith looked down at her short baby doll nighty and giggled.
“Yup. Now I will go put away the ice cream and pastries while you go and get into your jammies.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Alex ran upstairs to change.
Ryan had a taxi drop him off at Alex’s house. He knew he was way too drunk to drive. Alex could always make him feel better and right now he was miserable.
Alex and Faith had been drinking all night, they had finished off the beer and at one point were doing shots. Alex was eating her ice cream when she heard a noise.
“Faith, did you hear that?”
“Yeah, do you think someone knocked on the door?”
“At this hour?”
Alex put down her bowl, grabbed her phone and stood up.
“Where are you going?”
“To look?”
“Shouldn’t you call the maid or security or whoever does that here?”
“I’m just going to peek out the window and see if someone is at the door.”
Alex made her way to the front door and peeked out. She saw Ryan sitting on her front step.
“It’s Ryan.”
“What? Why is your brother here?”
“No clue.”
Alex opened the door and walked over to her brother.
“Ryan.”
“Hey.”
Alex sat down next to her brother.
“Were you going to sit out here all night?”
“I didn’t realize until after the taxi left me off that Faith was here.”
“You could have knocked and come in.”
“She hates me…”
“I could never hate you.”
Alex turned around and Faith was standing there. She pointed to Alex and then at the front door. Alex knew that was her way of saying for Alex to go inside so that she could talk to Ryan.
Alex tapped Ryan on his leg. “I’ll be inside.”
Faith sat down next to Ryan. “I meant what I said.”
Ryan sniffled. “Thanks.”
“Ryan, I’m worried about you.”
“I’m fine.”
Faith looked at Ryan. His dress shirt was hanging out on one side and his tie was undone hanging around his neck. He was a mess. Her heart broke. She got up and stood in front of Ryan. Then she lifted his head up.
“You don’t look fine to me.”
“My God, Faith!”
It wasn’t until she saw Ryan staring at her breasts that Faith remembered she was in her nighty.
“Now that you got your cheap thrill, do you want to talk about whatever’s bothering you?”
“Right now the only thing that’s bothering me is my throbbing cock.”
Ryan reached his hands up and placed them on Faith’s ass. Faith moved closer and Ryan bit her nipple through her nighty.
“Ryan.”
Ryan worked his lips up Faith’s neck as he unbuckled his belt and pulled out his cock. Then he ripped off Faith’s panties and pushed her down onto his cock.
“You’re so warm and wet.”
Faith grabbed Ryan’s hair as she sucked on his neck.
“Ohh Ryan!”
After Ryan came he wrapped his arms around Faith and held her.
“Thank you, Faith.”
“Thank you! What the fuck, Ryan?”
Faith tried to get up but Ryan tightened his hold on her.
“I’ve been feeling so alone. I needed to feel…”
“I understand.” Faith was already regretting what just happened. “I need to get inside before Alex comes out here and finds us like this.”
Ryan released his hold on Faith and she got up and walked back into the house.
Ryan grabbed Faith’s panties, pulled up his pants and then tucked Faith’s panties into his pocket before walking inside to talk to Alex.
ALEX WOKE UP WITH Ryan’s head on her lap, Faith nowhere in sight and a terrible hangover.
“Ms. Di Pietro, you’re awake. Would you like me to serve you some breakfast?”
“I think what I really need is water, coffee and some pain relievers, Silvia.”
“Yes, you all drank a lot last night. Faith needed help walking up the stairs to bed.”
“Do you know if she is still asleep?”
“No, she got up a few hours ago and went home.”
Alex looked down at Ryan asleep in her lap and wondered if his conversation with Faith was why she had left without saying goodbye.
Eden rolled over in bed. She had a terrible nightmare about Miles. She reached for the phone but there weren’t any missed calls or messages so she called Alex.
“Eden.”
“Good morning, Alex.”
“Is everything alright?”
“Have you heard from Miguel?”
“No, why have you heard from Miles?”
“No.”
“Eden, what aren’t you telling me?”
“I had an awful dream last night. I guess…I just can’t get over it.” Eden started to cry. “I’m sorry, I’m just so over emotional since I got pregnant and I…”
“Eden, I’ll be right there.”
Alex hung up the phone. She tried to get up without waking up Ryan but he woke up.
“Hey Sis.”
“I’m sorry I woke you.”
“And I’m sorry that I crashed your party last night.”
“About that…we didn’t get to talk before you passed out last night.”
“Can we talk now?”
“Maybe later?
I have to get over to Eden’s.”
Ryan sat up.
“Is she ok?”
“She’s having a hard time with Miles being gone.”
“I asked her to marry me last night, Sis.”
Alex stopped in her tracks and looked at her brother like he had at least three heads.
“You did what?”
“I shouldn’t have. I know she loves Miles but Sis, seeing that baby yesterday…it made me feel things I’ve never felt before. I guess I figured that if the baby was mine that maybe…”
“Oh Ryan.”
Alex sat back down and hugged her brother.
“You had better go take care of Eden.”
“Do you want to hang out until I get back?”
“No, I think I need to go and apologize to Faith.”
“Apologize? What the hell happened last night?”
“Faith didn’t tell you after I passed out?”
“No, she didn’t say a word. She was too busy drinking.”
“Probably to forget what happened between us.”
“Ryan, please tell me you weren’t out there kissing her?”
“We weren’t doing that.”
“That? Ryan, what hell were you doing? No wait, I don’t want to know.”
“I had way too much to drink and like I said, I need to apologize.”
“I’m running upstairs to change. Then I can drop you off on the way to Eden’s.”
“Ok, thanks.”
Ryan sat back down to wait for his sister. While he may have blamed his drinking for what happened between him and Faith he knew deep down that he would have taken her even if he had been stone cold sober and he didn’t like having those feelings.
Alex arrived at Eden’s house completely frazzled. She worked herself into a panic over Miles and Miguel. She was also worried about her brother. Ryan hadn’t said a word the whole car ride. She tried to compose herself before she knocked on Eden’s door. She knew she had to be strong for Eden and the baby. After a few deeps breaths she knocked.
“Oh Alex.” Eden grabbed Alex and hugged her. She was in tears.
Alex pushed the door closed and then she walked Eden over to the couch and they sat down. Alex grabbed Eden’s hand.
“You know that they are alright. I mean we’d have heard something by now if they weren’t.”
Secrets & Lies Page 6
