Nick pulled her close. “I had no idea you’d gone through all of that.”
“It’s not something I like to advertise. Like I said, I haven’t told anyone else.”
“Your parents know, don’t they?”
She cleared her throat. “Some. They don’t know most of what happened. I didn’t want them listening when I gave my testimony in court, so they didn’t. Basically, I tried to downplay it as much as I could.”
“So, you’ve been dealing with this on your own for all this time?”
Genevieve nodded.
“Those days are over. Any time you want to talk or cry or yell, give me a call. I don’t care what time it is. Two in the morning or the middle of a work day, I’ll stop what I’m doing.”
She sat back and stared at him with wide eyes. “Really?”
He nodded. “I’m serious. Just say the word.”
She wrapped her arms around him and nestled against him. “You don’t know how much that means to me.”
Closer
Tony leaned to the side to pass the offering plate to Gayle, who gave him a stiff smile before passing it onto the next person. Church was the last place Gayle had wanted to come, but since she and Tony hadn’t spent much time together lately, his girlfriend agreed most reluctantly.
“What’s the deal?” she whispered. “You feeling the need for repentance or something?”
“Shh. I’m listening to the song. You didn’t have to come with me.”
“Would I have seen you otherwise?”
He shrugged and kept his gaze to the front of the sanctuary, pretending to focus on the solo performance. His gaze was actually on Maisie’s parents a few rows up.
They sat next to each other with just enough space between them to make Tony think they weren’t happy with each other. Were they arguing about the balloon Maisie had come home with the night before while riding her little Hummer up and down the sidewalk? He hadn’t meant to cause friction. Okay, yes he had. He really had.
“What are you grinning about?” Gayle nudged him.
“Am I grinning?” He tried to stop, but couldn’t. Not when Maisie’s parents were so upset over the balloon.
“Seriously, why?” Gayle asked.
“Because it’s a lovely song,” he lied.
Gayle scowled. “Since when do you use words like lovely?”
“Would you just listen to the music? It’s a time for reflection.”
She muttered something but stayed quiet.
Good. He hated it when women wouldn’t listen. And he didn’t want to be in a bad mood when he saw Maisie soon. With any luck, the little girl seeing him with a woman would help set her mind at ease about him. Sometimes that helped.
Sometimes.
Maisie’s parents didn’t scoot closer or farther away from each other during the rest of the service. When everyone rose to sing, they kept their distance. They didn’t hold hands or put an arm around each other like some other couples.
Tony put his arm around Gayle so as to keep up appearances. She moved closer to him. His was a small gesture, but it made a difference, whether it had any emotion behind it or not.
He kept his arm around her through the next song, and then removed it once the service was dismissed.
“Can we go?” Gayle threw him a petulant pout.
“We haven’t met anyone yet.”
Her shoulders slumped.
“Oh, stop.”
Maisie’s dad made his way down the aisle. Her mom remained at the pew, speaking with another woman.
“I’m hungry. Let’s go and get something to eat. I’ll buy if we go right now.”
He furrowed his brow. “Stop whining, woman. I’ll tell you when I’m ready to leave.”
Gayle’s expression pinched tight, then she stormed out of the sanctuary.
Oh, well. She’d get over it. And if not, no major loss. He’d have Maisie soon enough. She was at just the right age when females were still sweet and agreeable. He didn’t really need Gayle, anyway.
He took a deep breath and held onto the image of Maisie in his cabin as he made his way up the aisle, nodding at people as he passed. Maisie’s mom was one of them, exiting the sanctuary before him.
Gayle stood by the door, her arms crossed. She glared at him.
He swallowed back a retort and smiled at her, keeping Maisie in mind. “Don’t be upset. We’ll leave soon enough, and I’ll be happy to buy lunch. Let’s meet some people first.”
“Why?” Her tone held an annoying whine.
It was enough to make him want to slap her across the face. He didn’t, of course. He pictured Maisie’s sweet face and took Gayle’s hand in his. “Because I’d like to meet some people. We’ll leave soon, I promise. I’m hungry as well.”
She sighed. “Fine. I don’t want to be here all day. I have things to do.”
“You didn’t have to come, you know.”
“I’ve hardly seen you at all lately, even though you work remotely.”
“My boss kept me busy this week. He has a big deadline looming, so that means more work for me—whether I’m in the office or home.”
“Even yesterday? On a Saturday?”
“You think my boss cares about me relaxing on the weekend? Come on. Stop bugging me. I get enough of that from him. I don’t need it from you, too.”
Her nostrils flared, but she kept quiet. Thankfully.
Maisie and her mom appeared from down a crowded corridor. The little girl grasped some colorful papers and talked excitedly, but her mom wasn’t paying any attention.
How ungrateful. Maisie was trying to tell her mom something important to her, and she didn’t even care. The mother was basically grooming the girl to turn into a whiny, demanding woman.
He would put a stop to that.
Once he trained Maisie to stay sweet and innocent, he wouldn’t need the Gayles of the world. He wouldn’t need anyone else at all.
Maisie’s mom stopped and spoke with a group of three other women. Their children all ran around the adults, chasing each other and giggling.
None of the moms seemed to notice until one of them told her son to take it outside. Several of the kids scrambled toward the door.
Maisie and one other kid asked their moms if it was okay.
The simple act sent a warm shiver down the man’s spine. He’d definitely set his sights on the right girl. So sweet, so obedient. Maybe not so much with the Hummer, inching toward the sidewalk. But that was something they could work on in the cabin.
Maisie’s mom told her to stay with the other kids. She promised, then raced outside.
Tony waited a few beats before turning back to Gayle. “A lot of people are heading outside. Let’s meet some out there.”
“Then we’ll eat?”
Did the woman think about anything other than food? He nodded, trying to keep his demeanor calm. “Yes, then we’ll get lunch.”
“Great. Let’s meet some people.”
He took her hand and headed outside, eager to speak with Maisie again.
Concern
Zoey forced herself to eat a few bites of the nachos Alex had made from scratch and baked to perfection. Under any other circumstances, they would have looked delicious. Unfortunately, right now they made her stomach turn. But given how wonderful he was being, she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
He’d spent the whole night with her so she didn’t have to be alone. Then he’d made her breakfast and lunch. Kept asking if she was okay. Did things for her she could do herself.
She loved him for it. Many guys weren’t that doting even when the woman was carrying their own child. Zoey was carrying someone else’s. Not that it was her fault, but still, she was.
“Is it good? Does the cheese need to be melted some more?” The kindness in his eyes nearly crushed her.
“No. These are the best.” She forced a smile and took another bite. If she ate much more, she would end up with her face in the toilet. She probably would anyway, given th
e way things had been going.
Alex talked about everything from the academy to wedding plans to Ariana’s science project. Zoey nodded along, nibbling on the same cheesy chip for twenty minutes while Alex ate the rest of the nachos.
He got up and kissed her forehead. “Why don’t you lie down while I clean this up?”
She rose. “But you made it and breakfast. Let me.”
Alex shook his head. “Nope. You rest, beautiful. I’ve got this.”
Zoey tried to protest, but exhaustion squeezed her. “Once the second trimester hits, I’m going to start doing things for you.”
“Sure thing.” He kissed her again. “For now, sleep.”
“How did I end up with the best fiancé in the world?”
“You didn’t, because I did. Will the vacuum keep you awake if I run it?”
She stared at him. “You’re going to vacuum my apartment?”
“Only if it won’t disturb you.”
Zoey put her hand on her stomach, her heart nearly shattering. “I really wish this was yours. It’s such a cruel twist of fate.”
A look of sadness crossed his face. “You know what would be worse?”
“What?”
“If the baby ends up being a half-brother or sister to Parker.”
She gave him a double-take. “Parker? What are you talking about? What does he have to do with anything?”
“Don’t tell anyone, but Nick said there’s reason to believe Parker might not be his. Not naturally, at least.”
Zoey covered her mouth. “Dave could be Parker’s dad? You’ve got to be joking.”
Alex shook his head. “Nick hasn’t said anything to Parker, and he hasn’t looked into the testing. He said it wouldn’t change anything, that Parker is his son regardless.”
Zoey closed her eyes and took in the news. “Could Corrine and Dave have ruined any more lives?”
Alex pulled her into a hug. “If you want, I’ll raise the baby with you as if it were my own. Nobody ever has to know the truth.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. “But everyone will know. I have to testify.”
“Doesn’t mean they’ll automatically think it’s his. You’re engaged. Might even be married by the time the trial finally comes around. We can get married sooner if you want. I’m pretty sure if we’re married, my name will automatically go on the birth certificate regardless of genetics.”
She crumbled against him, and he tightened his grip around her, keeping her upright. “Maybe you should put more thought into this, Alex. Taking on someone else’s kid as your own is huge.”
He kissed the top of her head. “It’s yours, and the only thing I want in this whole world is to be a family with you and Ariana. We can always have one of our own later. One that, like Ari, actually will be ours. Not that I’ll treat this one any different. I swear.”
Zoey blinked her tears away and sniffled. “While I love you so much for that, I want you to think about it some more. Maybe we can talk about it next weekend. Or in a month.”
“There isn’t anything to think about. I’ve already decided. It was never a question at all. We’re in this together. You want to keep the baby and I want to keep you. That means this baby is ours as far as I’m concerned.”
Tears stung her eyes. “Still, give it a week. For me?” She stepped back and stared into his eyes, blinking away the tears.
He gave a slight nod. “If that’s what you’d like, but I won’t change my mind.”
“Thank you.” Zoey gave him a quick kiss before heading into her room. Once there, she raced into the bathroom. She sat on the toilet, and that was when she saw it. The red on her underwear. Not just a little, either. It covered the fabric.
Shock ran through her. Was she losing the baby? Guilt stung at her for hoping she might be. After all, it was her child.
Zoey rose and saw the water in the bowl was red.
She was losing a lot of blood. Her chest tightened, and her mind raced. So much for taking a nap. She was going to have to take a trip to the hospital.
Heart thundering and tears threatening, she cleaned everything up and went to the kitchen to find Alex scrubbing the counter.
“Everything okay?” He dropped the sponge into the sink. “You’re pale.”
“I’m bleeding. A lot.”
His face lost two shades of color. “What? Are you okay?”
She leaned against the wall. “A little dizzy.”
“I’m taking you to the hospital. Sit down, and I’ll grab whatever you need.”
Zoey took some deep breaths, trying to ease the dizziness.
Double
Alex paced the little room as Zoey changed out of her clothes and filled a specimen cup in the bathroom.
What if something was really wrong? Had Dave given her a disease? Done something to permanently harm her? Or was it stress causing all the bleeding?
Hopefully it was the last one only. Until the day before, Zoey had been holding onto the news of the pregnancy all on her own—on top of dealing with everything else.
Alex knew firsthand how difficult it was to move on from an abduction. Both physically and mentally. Adding to that the strain of pregnancy, it was nothing short of a miracle that Zoey had held herself together for as long as she had.
The bathroom door opened. She stepped out, wearing a stiff-looking hospital gown.
He raced over to her. “Do you need anything?”
She grimaced. “For the bleeding to stop.”
“I wish I could do something about that.” He helped her over to the examination table and held her hand once she was settled. “Do you want me to find a blanket? It’s kind of cold in here.”
Zoey shook her head. “Just stay with me.”
He kissed her forehead. “I won’t leave your side.”
She moaned and rested her free hand on her rounded belly.
“Does it hurt?”
“Just a little cramping.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
She closed her eyes and groaned.
Alex squeezed her hand and brushed some hair from her face. “I’m still here. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
Hopefully he could make good on that promise. He would do whatever he could to make that happen.
A few minutes later, a woman in a white lab coat came in, introducing herself as a doctor. She went over to the computer on a small desk and read over some notes and asked Zoey some questions.
Once she was done, she made more notes on the computer then turned back to Zoey. “I’m going to have an ultrasound machine brought in so we can take a look. How was the last one?”
Zoey’s grip tightened around Alex’s hand. “I haven’t had one yet.”
“This far along?” The doctor’s eyes widened. A mixture of concern and judgment covered her expression.
Zoey bit her lip. “It… I… I’m not a bad mom!”
Alex glared at the doctor. “This pregnancy is the result of an assault. She’s doing the best she can!”
The doctor’s expression changed completely. “Why didn’t you mention this before?”
“Does it matter?” Zoey’s tone was defensive.
“It helps to have a full picture.”
“Fine. I was abducted and raped. Now I’m pregnant. Does that explain my bleeding?”
Knock, knock.
A man and a woman entered with a rolling table full of computer equipment. It had to be the sonogram machine.
Alex clung to Zoey’s hand while they prepared her.
As one of the technicians squeezed lubrication onto Zoey’s stomach, the doctor’s eyes widened. “Are you sure about how far along you are?”
Alex’s stomach twisted. “Of course she is. Why?”
“Judging by the size of her belly, she should be further along.”
“This isn’t my first pregnancy.” Zoey squeezed Alex’s hand. “I’m showing faster. That’s all.”
Alex’s mind raced as the technician’s e
xplained what was on the screen, though it was obvious. Even though the baby looked more like a bean than a person, it was clear which end was the head and which was the feet.
The doctor stepped closer. “Move it to the right.”
The technician did.
“More.” The doctor nudged the wand.
Alex’s mouth dropped open. “Is that… ?”
Zoey lifted her head off the pillow. “A second baby?”
“Two of them?” The room spun around Alex. Zoey was not only pregnant with one of Dave’s babies, but two? Could this get any worse?
Alex sat in the chair, unable to process anything anyone said. He still held Zoey’s hand.
How could this be happening? Wasn’t it bad enough that they had one baby to deal with? Now two? Two!
His mind continued racing until he realized the technicians were leaving with the machine.
He couldn’t get the image of the two babies from his mind.
The doctor was speaking. She sounded miles away.
Alex forced himself to concentrate. This was about Zoey, not him.
“…considered pregnancy options?”
“There’s nothing to consider!” Zoey glared at the woman. “Just tell me why I’m bleeding so I can go home.”
“Everything looks great. They both look as I would expect.”
“Then why am I bleeding? Cramping?”
The doctor sat on the bed and gave Zoey a sympathetic glance. “Sometimes it happens, and we don’t know why. It could be the strain of a twin pregnancy. I’m going to recommend you go on bed rest.”
“What? Until when?”
“At least until the bleeding stops.”
“I can’t get up at all?”
“You can use the bathroom.”
Zoey groaned, then turned to Alex. “Will you stay with me?”
“Yes, but I have academy all week.”
“Right. I forgot. Maybe my mom can come over. That means I have to tell her about being pregnant.”
“Or you could stay over at their house during the week. My parents can check on you during the day. Dad works at home.”
Don't Forget Me Page 13
