Deadly Deception

by London St Charles

  Jackson didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t mentioned the baby. Did Cadence even remember she was pregnant?

  “I need to tell you something.”

  “What is it?” she asked, pushing the controls on the side rail, adjusting the tilt of the bed.

  Jackson smiled and perched on the edge of the mattress. “We are the parents of a beautiful, healthy, baby boy.”

  Cadence eyes narrowed as her hands slid in slow motion across her stomach. Her mouth opened and her eyes grew to the size of golf balls.

  “It’s too soon,” she wailed, digging her heels into the mattress. “That truck hit us. Ooooh …”

  “Everything’s okay,” Jackson comforted, rubbing her thigh. “You had an emergency c-section.”

  She shook her head, and tears welled in her lower eyelids.

  “Our son is a survivor. You, my love, are a survivor.” Jackson smiled, thanking the man above for covering his family.

  Cadence had fluid in her belly, which added pressure on the baby, making it hard for him to receive oxygen. They had to deliver him to save both of their lives.

  “Where is he?” Cadence asked, scanning the room.

  “Caden Jackson Goldsmith is in the NICU,” the woman in pink scrubs said, pumping the hand sanitizer dispenser as she entered the room. “I’m Dr. Garrison.”

  Cadence stroked her husband’s cheek. “Caden … you named him after me?”

  “You said I could make him a junior.” Jackson tilted his head and winked. “So, I did.”

  The tears finally trickled from Cadence’s eyes. Jackson leaned over, placing his lips softly against hers. “I love you. Don’t you know there’s nothing I won’t do for you?”

  “I’m Dr. Garrison,” she said, blinking several times. “We’re not about to do this again. Your husband had the entire delivery team in tears. This man loves you.”

  “Yes, he does.” Cadence grinned, adjusting on the bed. “Hi, Dr. Garrison. When can I see my baby?”

  “Soon, I promise, but I need you to be careful of your movements. I don’t want you to tear your stitches.”

  “I’ll make sure she takes it easy,” Jackson added. “Can you explain to her what you told me?”

  Dr. Garrison gave a warm smile. It eased Jackson’s nerves, and he prayed it did the same for Cadence.

  “Caden is thirty-four weeks, weighing four and a half pounds and nineteen inches long. He’s considered a moderately preterm baby, which means he will not spend much time in the NICU, and his complications should be few,” she explained, stepping closer to the bed. “That being said, we still need to keep a close eye on him.”

  Jackson rolled his hand over Cadence’s.

  “His immune health is compromised since the respiratory system doesn’t fully develop until the last weeks of pregnancy. He’ll need help breathing for a short time, but that’s expected. Caden’s biggest challenge will be learning to eat.”

  “Why is that?” Jackson asked. “I thought it was natural for babies to suckle.”

  “It is, once he’s full term, but Caden’s suck-swallow-breath reflex isn’t developed enough yet, and it’ll make it hard for him to take in enough nourishment to grow and gain weight.”

  “So, what do I need to do?” Cadence inquired, gazing at the doctor.

  “Love him. Visit him as much as possible,” Dr. Garrison replied, holding onto the bedrail. “Talk to him. The sound of your voice will be soothing and familiar. Let Caden know he’s not alone. Preterm babies who are visited often by their parents fair so much better than those who aren’t.”

  “Thank you so much,” Jackson said, standing.

  “You’re quite welcome. I’ll have a nurse take you to the NICU,” Dr. Garrison said while checking Cadence’s vitals and incision. “Fair warning, you won’t be able to hold him just yet, neither of you are ready for that,” she explained, removing the thermometer from Cadence’s mouth. “And don’t be alarmed by the tubes, wiring, and beeping sounds. Though they can be a bit overwhelming, keep in mind that they are necessary for the baby’s health.”

  “Thanks again.” Jackson raised his hand toward heaven. “What a mighty God we serve.”

  “I agree,” Dr. Garrison said, pointing down at Jackson’s ripped, bloodstained pant leg. “Now, go get yourself checked out.”

  Chapter 8

  “Whatever they bring me is gonna taste like steak and potatoes,” Cadence said to Jackson, rubbing her hands together, checking the time on the wall clock across the room.

  The doctor finally gave the okay for her to eat solid foods.

  “Woman, it’s only been three days.”

  “I’d like to see you go just one day on a liquid diet, then talk to me.”

  Jackson splayed his hands in the air. “Truce … hangry woman.”

  They chuckled.

  He sat on the bed, along her right side, then pulled a candy bar from his pocket.

  “You’re so wrong for that.” Cadence folded her arms, then stuck her tongue out at him. “But, it’s cool.”

  A couple of taps on the door brought a smile to her face.

  “Perfect timing,” she said, shifting on the bed. “Come in.”

  “Hi.” Steven poked his head inside.

  The bewildered expression on Jackson’s face matched the confusion in her head.

  “Congratulations,” he said, walking inside with a yellow and green decorated basket. “I wasn’t sure if you had a boy or a girl.”

  “Thanks,” Jackson countered, taking the gift and handing it to Cadence. “Our son’s name is Caden.”

  The weaved basket was filled with diapers, baby wipes, washcloths, onesies, a baby rattle, and other items that she couldn’t see on the bottom.

  “This is very nice.” Cadence motioned for Jackson to sit the basket on the side table. “How did you know I had the baby?”

  “It was on the news––– the accident,” Steven clarified. “I wasn’t sure who the passengers were, but a witness said that it was a hit and run and that one of the victims was pregnant. The location wasn’t too far from the courthouse, and when the camera zoomed in, I noticed the tire laying in the middle of the street had the custom-Adali emblem.” He swallowed, taking a deep breath. “I knew it was you.”

  “That still doesn’t answer my question.”

  “The news reported that they rushed the occupants to Stroger Hospital. I came by the following day, and they gave me a visitor’s pass to the maternity ward.”

  Cadence glanced at Steven.

  “I wanted to make sure you were okay,” he said, moving toward the foot of the bed. “I waited until today to give you a chance to get your bearings. I have two little ones now.” Steven’s shoulders relaxed, and a smile wider than the horizon over the ocean, split his face when he mentioned his children. “And I know childbirth can be stressful under the best of circumstances.”

  Cadence’s guard deflated. No one was capable of faking the emotion that she witnessed.

  “That’s all I wanted.” He rocked back on his heels. “I’ll be going now. Take care.”

  “Hold on a minute,” Cadence called out, glancing at her husband. “Have a seat.”

  Steven hesitated.

  “Come on, man.” Jackson nodded. “It’s all good.”

  Steven walked to the other side of the room, pulled the recliner closer, and angled it in Cadence and Jackson’s direction.

  “This would be a good time to talk to you about Jackie,” she suggested, just as a tap on the door interrupted her speaking.

  “Hiiiiii, Cadence,” Nurse Shannan said in a happy tone, not waiting for Cadence’s verbal response to enter the room. “It’s dinner time.”

  “Finally,” she replied, doing a little dance.

  Jackson raised from the bed, guiding the rolling table over for Shannan to place the tray. She smelled like fresh baby powder and was as cute as can be in Winnie-the-Pooh scrubs.

  “Can I get you anything?” Shannan asked, checking the water pitc
her.

  “I’m good,” Cadence responded, removing the lid, inhaling the aroma from the baked chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes with brown gravy, and a dinner roll.

  “Enjoy, and let me know if you need anything else.”

  “Will do,” she mumbled around a mouth filled with chicken.

  Jackson grinned, crossing his arms, snickering. He leaned against the wall, then turned to Steven. “You know I’m not all that fond of you. I have reservations about you spending time with my daughter.”

  “I understand,” Steven replied, scooting to the edge of the seat. “If it were reversed, I’d probably feel the same. The only thing I can tell you for certain is that I’m not the same man. So much has changed.”

  Cadence listened intently.

  “I envied Braelyn, and with that came resentment. She grew up in the same house as our mom, but that’s only because mother chose her, and she left me with our cruel father––– or should I say the man who raised me as his own. I didn’t know at the time that we were the product of an affair.”

  Cadence knew this from the information her assistant, Jennifer, dug up on the Nevels family when Braelyn whirled into their life, causing more damage than a tornado.

  “I looked like my mother, but Braelyn favored our biological father, and my father––– Simon, Irene’s husband, couldn’t accept that Irene’s illegitimate daughter was the spitting image of her lover, the janitor.” Steven sighed, picking the pretend lent from his jeans. “Everyone would know that she’d been sleeping around on him. Simon told Irene that he couldn’t accept Braelyn as his own. So, she took Braelyn and left me behind.”

  “That’s messed up,” Jackson remarked, lifting a green bean from Cadence’s plate, and she slapped his hand.

  Steven laughed. “She’s serious about that food.”

  “Hell yeah, I am,” Cadence answered, spreading butter on the dinner roll. “I’m making up for missed meals.”

  “Again,” Jackson said, pointing to the date on the dry-erase whiteboard of the day she was admitted. “Three days.”

  “Ain’t nobody thinking about you.” Cadence waved Jackson off and put her focus on Steven. “How did you end up helping Braelyn? She told me about Lester’s plan and that she asked you. What made you do it?”

  “Braelyn’s my twin, and it was the first time I’d heard from her in six years,” Steven said in a regretful tone, followed by an awkward silence. “We grew close over the long summers and weekends I’d spent at my mother’s house. Even when I went away for college, we kept in contact. I’d send Braelyn money here and there cause she told me mom had her on a tight allowance, which I never understood––– she was loaded.” Steven shrugged, sighing. “Anyway, our senior year, we were both home on spring break. One evening, I heard Braelyn and mother arguing. Next thing I know, Braelyn packed a bag and stormed out. Mom was cursing, saying she threw her life away and told me not to be like her. I didn’t know what she meant. Later, I learned Braelyn had dropped out of college and off the face of the earth, forgetting about me in the process.”

  “That’s a lot,” Cadence sympathized, placing the fork on the tray, leaning back.

  “I would’ve done anything to be close to her again. That doesn’t make what I did right, but that’s the truth.” Steven stood and walked over to the window. “I didn’t know Braelyn had a kid until she showed up at the Adali Global Reveal to get the VIP badge.”

  She felt sad for Steven. Cadence and her sister didn’t talk every day, but she couldn’t imagine Crystal disappearing from her life for years at a time.

  “Simply put, I want to have a relationship with my niece and for my children to know their big cousin,” Steven said, sliding a hand along the ledge. “Jackie’s the only family I have left on my mother’s side.”

  The reality of what he said, revealed that Irene had passed on to be with her Maker. No one but Steven’s wife and kids in his world, though fulfilling, had to be a lonely life. Cadence knew it all too well; the four years they lived in Stuttgart, away from their entire family. Birthdays, school plays, Jackie learning to ride a bike, shared with their parents via FaceTime. It was something, but it was never enough. Steven didn’t even have that.

  Jackson glanced at Cadence, long enough for them to exchange a compassionate smile and a nod before he joined Steven by the window. “I don’t see any harm in that. I think it would be good for Jackie to get to know her other side of the family, too.”

  Chapter 9

  “There’s no place like home,” Cadence mumbled as Jackson parked in front of their house.

  He let out a hearty chuckle. “You sound like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.”

  “Shut up.” She giggled, slapping his arm. “You’re comparing me to Judy Garland?”

  “No,” Jackson remarked; his eyebrows knitted as he smirked. “Diana Ross.”

  “That’s The Wiz, not The Wizard of Oz, silly,” Cadence chided him.

  “Same difference.”

  “Not really.”

  “You keep correcting me,” Jackson teased, his hand hovering over the steering wheel. “I may have to take you back to Stroger.”

  “You know you missed me.”

  “I guess.” He jerked toward the driver’s side door, glaring across at Cadence with an animated expression. “Let me quit playing,” Jackson said, smiling at her. “It’s been five days too long.” He straightened himself, gliding a hand along her arm. “Being at the hospital with you every day isn’t the same as having you home with me.” He turned off the truck, then came around to open the door and assist Cadence.

  “Mama Ceeeeeeeeeee,” Jackie squealed, running down the stairs toward Cadence with her coat flapping like a cape.

  “Slow down, sweetheart,” Jackson grabbed her before she slammed into Cadence for a bear hug. “Mama’s a little fragile right now.”

  “So, I can’t hug her?” Jackie’s asked, crossing her arms.

  “Of course you can,” Cadence interjected, sliding the purse strap on her shoulder. “But help daddy with the bags, and let’s get in the house first.”

  “Okay,” Jackie said, grabbing the yellow tote bag and a stuffed animal from the backseat. “Where’s Caden?”

  “At the hospital,” Cadence replied while Jackson guided her up the stairs.

  “Hey, darling,” Phylicia greeted from the doorway, taking Cadence’s purse. “Welcome home.”

  “Thanks, mom.”

  Once inside, Cadence inhaled the most savory aroma. “Is that succotash?” she asked, turning to face her mother.

  “Yes, dear,” Phylicia replied. “Your great-great-great-grandmother’s recipe.”

  “This makes me feel a little better after having to leave Caden there alone,” Cadence mumbled, lowering on the couch, trying not to wince in front of Jackie.

  The stitches on the left side of her abdomen pulled with every move she made.

  “But, you know what will make me feel even better?”

  “What’s that?” Phylicia asked, placing a pillow behind Cadence’s back.

  “Is a hug from my favorite girl.”

  Jackie stood at a distance with her head hung low.

  “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Love never hurts.” Cadence smiled and opened her arms wide. “For now, instead of big bear hugs, let’s do baby bear hugs.”

  Jackie came forward and carefully laid her upper body on Cadence’s chest. “I’ve missed you.”

  “Not more than I’ve missed you,” Cadence responded, rubbing her back.

  “Why did the baby have to stay at the hospital?” Jackie asked, perching on the arm of the couch. “Is he sick?”

  “He was born early. The special doctors and nurses that work with tiny babies, have equipment there to help Caden get stronger until he’s able to come home,” Cadence explained, patting Jackie’s knee. “You don’t have to worry about him. He’s being taken good care of, I promise.”

  A slow grin spread across Jackie’s lips u
ntil her entire face beamed. “I can’t wait to meet my little brother.”

  “You will soon,” Cadence reassured her. “Tell me what you’ve been up to while I’ve been gone?”

  Jackie hopped off the couch and ran across the living room to her daddy, who had just finished putting Cadence’s things away. “Can I show her?”

  Cadence looked back and forth from Jackson to Jackie. “Momma. What are they up to?”

  “I don’t know,” Phylicia replied, but her tone revealed otherwise.

  “Sure,” Jackson said, and she rushed over to Cadence.

  “Come on, Mama Cee.” Jackie extended a hand to help Cadence to her feet. “Now close your eyes.”

  “I got you, baby.” Jackson snaked an arm behind her back as they maneuvered through the house. “Take your time.”

  “No peeking,” Jackie ordered.

  Cadence saw the shadows behind her lids from someone waving their hands in front of her face. From the angle, she knew it was Jackie. They walked a few feet, turned right, then made a sharp left. The floor under her feet went from hardwood to plush softness. Her face twisted at the unfamiliar footing. Based on the way she was guided, Cadence knew she was in the guest bedroom, but it wasn’t carpeted.

  “Mama Cee, no peeking.”

  “I’m not,” Cadence refuted, feeling a solid object pressed against the back of her knees.

  “Sit,” Jackson said, holding both of her hands. “I got you.”

  Cadence inhaled, enjoying the minty smell of Jackson’s breath.

  She lowered onto a soft cushion that hugged her body on all sides. It felt amazing.

  “On the count of three, you can open your eyes,” Jackie said in a cheerful tone. “One. Two. Three.

  Cadence gasped at the beautiful sight before her, clasping her chest.

  Charcoal grey walls, a white tree with mustard yellow leaves, and safari animal decals adorned the flat surface. The friendly lion, giraffe, and elephant stood tall while the three brown monkeys hung from the branches, smiling. Two fuzzy shaped, sunflower area rugs were placed inches apart on the wall-to-wall pickle green carpet.