After being in labor for three hours, Camille gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. She weighed 6 lbs and 11 oz. She was 21 inches long. When Camille held her she started crying. She decided to name her Lauren Michelle Bradley after her mother.
Camille gave the baby to Paul to hold. When he looked at her a tear rolled down his face. He was overcome with emotion and then he gave her a kiss.
Camille told the doctor prior to giving birth that she wanted to have a paternity test. The nurse took blood from baby Lauren and then from Paul. They were told that the results would be mailed to them.
When the nurse left, Paul pulled out the engagement ring and got down on one knee to propose. “Camille, as I told you before, I fell in love with you from the moment I looked into your eyes. You are a warm, charming, beautiful, and loving woman and I want to spend the rest of my life with you and Lauren if you both will have me.
“I know in my heart that God brought you back to me so I can love you and the baby. Even if the test proves that Lauren is not my daughter, I still want to marry you and build a life with the two of you.
“I will love and treat her as if she were mine. I love you and adore you. Give me a chance to show you what real love is. What do you say, baby, will you marry me?” he asked.
Camille was stunned. She began to cry. She had fallen in love with him during the weekend he was first in Chicago but she was afraid to succumb to her true feelings. She had become comfortable with Jake and she was too scared to trust her heart.
“Don’t cry, baby. Everything will be okay. Trust your heart. What does it tell you? I know you’re scared but I promise you that I will never hurt or disrespect you,” he said.
“Yes Paul, I will marry you,” she wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“I love you, baby. You’ve made me the happiest man alive. I promise to love, honor, and cherish you and Lauren all the days of my life,” he said as he kissed Camille and then the baby.
Several weeks after baby Lauren was born and Paul had returned to Los Angeles, Camille’s aunt Joan came to Chicago to help her with the baby. Since she had been retired from teaching for ten years, she was able to stay for as long as they needed her.
Paul made a point to come to Chicago every weekend to see Camille and the baby. As they waited for the test results to come back they continued to make plans for their wedding. They were going to marry in Los Angeles.
Since the lease to her apartment was up November 1, they decided that she and Lauren would move to Los Angeles and in with Paul during the second week in November.
A month after the baby was born, the paternity test results arrived. They were so happy that the results showed that Paul was Lauren’s father. Camille was finally able to get Jake out of her life for good.
When the time came for her to move out of her apartment and to Los Angeles she was overtaken with emotion. She had been in that apartment for nearly eleven years. She had lots of memories there, some good and some bad.
She was finally getting the life she always wanted. Life was finally going to be simple for her and not so complicated. She had finally met someone who she knew in her heart would love her and not hurt her.
She was able to close that chapter in her life that proved to be very painful. Now that it was proven that baby Lauren was Paul’s, she no longer had that dark cloud over her head and Jake could be gone from her life forever. She was finally free of pain, deceit, and confusion.
She and the baby left the apartment and climbed into the limousine that Paul had waiting to take them to the airport. She took one last look at the building as the limousine drove down the street.
When she arrived to the airport she was pleasantly surprised to see Paul standing there with a bouquet of red roses waiting for her to exit the limousine. He had flown to Chicago earlier that day for a meeting and wanted to surprise her. She kissed him when she exited the limousine and he, Camille, and their daughter left Chicago, anxiously anticipating the new life that was ahead of them.
On December 13, Paul and Camille were married in a small chapel right outside of Los Angeles.
Prologue
Ted and Lynn
“Ted, I’m not sure how much more of this I can take. I love you too much and it hurts every time we have to say goodbye. I’m willing to leave my husband if you leave your wife,” offered Kristie as she stretched across his lap.
“Baby, you have to be patient. I thought we agreed that we wouldn’t change anything. We both have a lot to lose if we simply walk away from our families. I know it’s hard, but believe me—it will happen when the time is right,” he said as he bent down to kiss her cheek.
“I’m not talking about leaving now. Let’s promise that in four years, when our children have completed high school, we’ll divorce our spouses and plan to be together. I’m tired of this charade and the lies,” she said, obviously frustrated.
“Listen baby, let’s talk about this some other time, okay? I just want to enjoy your company right now. I think maybe you need to get away. I have to go to Detroit to meet with a potential client on Friday. Some big official has gotten himself in major trouble.
“Why don’t you take off work and come with me? I’m sure you can come up with something to tell Donald. I’ll only be gone for a few hours. I’m leaving in the morning. If you go with me I’ll drive.”
Kristie sat up, “That was a nice way to avoid the conversation, Ted. I really want us to talk about this.”
“I wasn’t trying to avoid the conversation. I was simply suggesting that you come with me to Detroit so we can be together. I thought maybe we could talk on the way,” he said defensively.
“Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the time we spend together; but baby, I can’t just take off work to drive to Detroit. Besides, when Donald asks me why I’m missing work what am I to tell him? That I had to go with my lover to Detroit? I don’t think so. That’s a little too risky and I am not comfortable taking that risk,” sarcasm filled Kristie’s voice.
“Come on baby, can’t you tell him that you’re going to an all-day teacher’s workshop or something? You have them all the time. He won’t think anything of it. I don’t think it’s risky at all,” said Ted.
“Of course you wouldn’t consider it risky because you won’t be the one taking the chances. All of your trips are scheduled so you look as if you’re on legitimate business. I, on the other hand, will have a hell of a time explaining why I’m taking off work and getting home so late.
“It may seem simple to you but typically when I have a workshop planned I tell him a few weeks ahead of time so he can pick the children up from school. Not to mention that it will take us at least four or five hours to drive to Detroit and the same to get back. There are no workshops that last that long,” she said with an attitude.
“Baby, you don’t have to get an attitude. You make it sound as if I’m not taking risks. The fact that I’m with you is a big risk. The fact that I love you and want to spend my life with you is a big risk. The fact that you were pregnant with my child was a big risk.
“I know it seems like I am not risking anything but you know that’s not true. If the paper got wind of our relationship and the baby, my name would be tarnished and my reputation destroyed. I took a chance opening my heart up to you again.
“I took a gamble trusting you again and I hope that wasn’t a mistake. I know you’re tired of the charade and honestly so am I, but baby it’s not fair to our families for us to selfishly run away together leaving them behind to suffer the after-effects.
“You are my soul mate and I’m glad to have you back in my life, but baby please don’t ask me to choose between you and my children. I will never ask that of you,” he pleaded with a disappointed expression.
Kristie held back tears as she spoke, “Let me first say that I agree both of us are taking great risks. Although I’m not a big-time defense attorney and the world wouldn’t care if I had an affair or not, it would still create terrible pain to the people
I love.
“We talk about being each other’s soul mates and how we are meant to be together but do you really believe that? I agree it would be very selfish to simply run out on our families. That’s why I have to say goodbye to you now. I cannot do this any longer.
“It’s tearing me apart inside. I love you so much that it aches when I think of you and Lynn being together. It aches knowing that we may never be together. You keep telling me to be patient but in actuality what am I being patient for? You keep telling me that we’re close to being together but realistically how close is that?
“It has been almost five years. How many more do I have to wait before it finally happens, ten, twelve, fifteen? You just don’t understand, Ted.
“Baby this has got to end. I love you and no matter what you will always be my soul mate—my one true love. But I am afraid this is goodbye. I think we’ve reached the end,” Kristie’s voice broke as she finished.
“Hey baby, I was so happy you sent me that e-mail. It’s been a long time,” said Ted, his tone pleased and excited.
“I must admit I was a little nervous about sending it to you. I wasn’t sure how you would feel hearing from me after all this time. I thought maybe you had forgotten about me,” Kristie replied nervously.
“I could never forget you, baby. You were my heart. I really loved you. Thanks for the photo—you look great. How did you find me?” he asked.
“It was merely by chance. Someone from work was looking for an attorney and a friend gave me your business card.
“She told me to go online and look at your website and when I did I couldn’t believe it was you. I had no idea you were a defense attorney. When we dated in college you were focused on putting criminals in prison, not helping them stay out,” she joked.
“Yeah, that was true. I guess things change,” he laughed back at her.
“How long have you been a defense attorney?” she asked.
“Let’s see...I have been a lawyer for twenty-two years and a defense attorney for nineteen years now,” he said.
She teased, “Wow Ted, that’s great. Look at you, all grown up now.”
“I see you’re still silly. That was one of the many things I loved about you, Kristie. You always knew how to make me laugh,” he said.
“Not much has changed about me. I still like having fun and being adventurous.”
“Who is your friend that recommended me to you? I need to send her a thank-you card,” he replied warmly.
“She works out of the prosecutor’s office. Her name is Candace Smith. Do you know her? She told me that the two of you stood on opposite sides a few times in court,” Kristie explained.
“I remember her. She’s a nice lady. So what have you been up to? What are you doing with your life?” he asked.
“I have been married for fifteen years. I have two beautiful children and a dog. Katherine is ten; DJ, which is short for Donald Jr., is twelve and Zoe is five—that’s the dog. I am a high school English teacher of all things. You remember how much I complained about writing all of those term papers in college? Now how is that for irony?” she joked.
“Your life seems full and complete and yes, that is quite ironic. You sound as if you are very happy with your little set up,” Ted spoke sincerely.
“Oh now who’s funny? I must admit I’m happy. Of course, I always wondered how my life would have turned out if we had gotten married,” she replied while laughing.
“Is that right? You’ve crossed my mind so many times. Out of all the women I dated you were by far the one I should have married. You know we were meant to be together. I don’t know why you left me,” he teased.
Kristie’s tone shifted a bit, “Excuse me, but if memory serves me correctly, you left me. I always wondered what I had done wrong. I thought we had something special but when you moved away and stopped keeping in touch I thought maybe I imagined our love.”
“You didn’t imagine it. I did love you. I was just too young and too focused on my career to see how much you really meant to me. I really believed that you were my soul mate and to this day I have never said that to another woman, not even my wife,” he said, sounding like a man still in love.
Kristie quickly changed the subject, “So you are married. I was going to ask you that next. Do you have any children? Wait a minute—let me guess—you have three.”
“Yes I am married and we do have three children. My wife and I have been married for seventeen years. Ted Jr. is fourteen, Jonathan is twelve and Rebecca is ten. How did you know I have three children?” he asked, surprised.
“When we were together you always said you wanted to have three children. That is one of the things I loved about you. You always seemed like a family man. I bet you’re a great father and husband,” she replied with sincerity.
“Wow! I can’t believe that you still remembered that after all of these years. I try to be a good husband and father,” he said proudly.
“What about your husband? Is he taking good care of you or do I need to pay him a visit?” he laughed.
“He is a good man with a good soul. He really tries to treat me well. Sometimes I feel as if he cares more about his business than me and the kids. Other than that he takes care of us,” Kristie sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than him.
“Okay, when am I going to see you? You know I can’t wait. From the look of your picture you haven’t changed much in the past twenty years. I see you’ve taken good care of yourself,” he said while smiling.
“I hope soon. I’m not sure when I can get away. Perhaps we could meet for lunch one day,” she responded cheerfully.
Excitement was evident in Ted’s voice, “That sounds good. I’ll give you a call in a few days. I need to check my schedule. Is that okay with you?”
“Of course it is. Let’s make it happen.”
“Well I need to go. It was great talking to you again, sweetheart. I’ll call you in a few days.”
“Okay goodbye. Until then,” Kristie smiled broadly, hanging up the telephone.
After speaking with Kristie, Ted felt like a new man. He felt like he did two decades before when they first started dating. But he had to admit to himself that what he and Kristie shared could not be duplicated no matter how he tried.
She was truly his one true love and soul mate. The moment he saw her picture he knew they were going to get back together. His old feelings rushed back and he couldn’t wait to spend more time with her. It just seemed like the natural thing to do.
Ted immediately checked his schedule to see when he would be free to have lunch with Kristie. He was so excited about talking to her that he nearly forgot he had an appointment with a new client. He had recently picked up a case involving one of Chicago’s elected officials who was charged with trying to sell a seat on the United States Senate.
This case would require that he spend a great deal of time meeting with other attorneys within his firm. Ted was a well-known defense attorney and whenever he was involved in a big case, he had to work late hours.
He hated working late because he really tried to spend a great deal of time with his family. He was dedicated to them and took pride in being a true family man. He never liked the long hours but he knew it was part of the job.
He had worked very hard to make a name for himself. When he and Lynn first met he worked out of the District Attorney’s office. He was very good and managed to win most of the cases he prosecuted.
He never liked the idea of working for someone else and therefore decided to become a defense attorney; he opened up his own law firm and it had grown steadily since.
Lynn worked as a schoolteacher. After they were married and had children, he asked her to stop working in order to stay home with their family. She had been a stay-at-home mom ever since.
Ted was well respected in the community and at one point he considered running for a position on the bench. Those who knew him respected him and admired his dedication to his family and his clie
nts.
He never dreamed of having an affair with another woman. He really and truly loved and adored Lynn and their children.
Kristie was the only woman that he had truly loved other than his wife. Long before he and Lynn met there was Kristie.
Ted met her when he was in his mid-twenties. They were introduced to each other by one of her girlfriends. It was love at first sight. The moment they looked into each other’s eyes they knew they were meant to spend the rest of their lives together.
She was a few years younger than Ted but she knew she had never met a man like him before. She fell madly in love but was too shy to tell him.
They soon became inseparable. They enjoyed each other’s company and made time to be together. Ted knew that she was pure and inexperienced sexually and when they made love for the first time he took her to complete ecstasy. They were sexually compatible and did whatever it took to please each other. They had no boundaries and limits to what they would do to satisfy each other. For them, making love was truly a way of expressing their love and commitment to each other.
There was nothing they wouldn’t do for each other. Both of them were in school during their relationship. Kristie was in her second year of undergraduate school and Ted was finishing his law degree.
Prior to meeting Kristie he had received a position in the prosecutor’s office in another county pending he passed the state bar examination. After finishing law school he took and passed the bar. He assured her that the two-hour distance between them would not interfere with their relationship.
At the beginning they put forth every effort to keep their relationship together. On some weekends she would go see him and on others he would drive to her. This worked well for a few months but as the weather started changing, driving became very difficult her.
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