by Rumer Raines
“Is this Stephanie?”
“Yes.”
“This is just to confirm your two o’clock appointment with Dr. Holton,” says the female voice on the line.
“I’m sorry. What day is it?” I ask.
“It’s tomorrow. Can you still make it?”
“Yes.”
The last thing I feel like doing is leaving this apartment. I should just cancel it, but she would only want me to reschedule. I order a pizza and hope the next couple of days go by fast.
HAVE you ever felt like you were being followed? I brush off the feeling as I drive to my doctor appointment and pull into the parking ramp. I hope this appointment goes fast. I just want to crawl back into bed. I feel like crap without Dominic.
“Are you sexually active?” Dr. Holton questions as he reviews his chart.
“Yes.”
“Do you use protection?”
“Most of the time,” I whisper as he glances at me and back at the chart.
“Should we do a pregnancy test?”
I tilt my head, and the words repeat back to me as he stares at me. Do I need a pregnancy test? I have never in my life taken a pregnancy test. My eyes glance toward the calendar on the wall, and I count back to my last period. I can’t be… No…. No….
“Stephanie? Should we do the test?” he questions.
“Maybe?” I answer, turning my face away from him.
I stare at Dr. Holton as he reads my test results. His mouth moves, but I no longer hear the words past the first two.
Back at my apartment, I shake my head in dismay as I stare at the television that isn’t even turned on. How could I have let this happen? I have been home for almost three hours from the doctor’s office, and the words keep screaming at me. The words that will change my life.
We were careful most of the time. The other times, we used the old fashion pull out method, which apparently isn’t fail-safe. Dominic has erased me from his life, but now I have a part of him that can’t easily be erased. Should I call him, or do I just move on with life and handle this alone? What will my parents say? They will want me to leave town, so the church doesn’t find out, if I know my mother. I throw my hands up in disgust and do the one thing I have been good at recently. I crawl back in bed to think.
It feels so good to sleep… if that damn ringing phone would just stop.
“What!” I yell.
“Oh, sorry, honey. Are you watching the news?” my mother asks.
“No… I was trying to sleep.”
“Sleep? It’s only ten o’clock. Turn on the news! I think that is your guy!”
Grabbing the remote, I sit up when I see that Dominic, Anthony, and Nico have purchased a local industrial park that has been unsaleable for years. They will be breaking ground immediately and will start building a new nightclub.
I watch as Dominic is interviewed while a beautiful brunette stands next to him with her arms wrapped around his. Choking back tears, my heart breaks when the word “fiancée” is displayed on the screen. Dominic has moved on and didn’t even look back.
“I have to go, Mom” I whisper while fighting back tears.
“I can’t believe he is getting married. I thought you two were…”
“Mom… I have to go. I am going to be sick!” I scream into the phone and hang up on her.
Thirty minutes later, I am hovering over my toilet, and my mom is holding on to my hair. She pats my back, assuring me that everything will be okay. When I’ve finally emptied my stomach of anything and everything, she hands me a wet towel and I wipe my mouth. She passes me mouthwash, and I gargle and wander back to bed where she lies next to me.
Closing my eyes, I turn my back to her and curl up into a ball.
“Steffie… please talk to me,” she begs.
She hasn’t called me that since I was a little girl. The only time she would call me that was when I was upset. I only wish she could take away all my troubles now.
“I’m pregnant,” I whisper.
I can feel her tense, and I think she has stopped breathing. She is quiet for almost ten minutes, which for my mother is a lifetime. She has never been quiet this long, and I start to wonder if I should turn to check on her.
“Mom?” I whisper.
“I’m still here. Is it… his?”
I sit up and look at her. Is she really asking me if it’s Dominic’s? My mother thinks I sleep around?
“I don’t mean to insinuate that you have many boyfriends. It’s just that he has that fiancée,” she whispers.
“He doesn’t know.”
She tilts her head and stands beside the bed. “Are you planning to tell him?”
I shrug my shoulder as lie back down, pulling the covers back over me. “Do you think I should?”
“I don’t know. On one hand, he is the father and with that comes responsibility. On the other, he is the Mafia. Can I ask why you’re no longer dating him? Does this have anything to do with Ted and Monica?”
“I don’t want to get into that, Mom.”
That is a long story for another lifetime. A story that I never plan on discussing with my mother. It doesn’t matter if Dominic and I raise this baby together or if he never finds out I am pregnant. What I do know is I can’t tell my mother what a monster this baby’s father can be. She will always remind my baby that their father is a killer.
Taking a deep breath, she sits next to me and starts playing with my curly hair. “What will you tell people?”
My eyes meet hers, and I am reminded why I will never be able to give her the full story.
37
“I… NEED… YOUR… HELP…” she cries.
“Monica? Is that you?”
“Y-yes… I… need… your…”
My phone rings. I sit up in bed and try to call back the number, but I just get a dial tone.
It’s been four months, and my life is just starting to become normal. I have moved past Dominic, and my mother and I have been getting along like old times. I have a new condo that has a spare bedroom, which will be the nursery. It’s also closer to my parents, which my mother just loves.
I also have a new job working for a non-profit organization. I spend so much time outside of the office networking that it barely feels like work. I confess that I do drive past the bar in hopes of seeing Dominic, but I never do.
Today, I have a business meeting with a local partner that is asking for more money. He wants to meet at a coffee shop, and since it’s downtown, I decide to use Uber. I hate parking in downtown Chicago, so it’s just easier to use the service.
He stands as I walk over to the table, and I can see his eyes move over every inch of me.
“Hi, Derek.”
“Stephanie, you look beautiful as always.”
“Thank you.”
I glance at the barista and decide that I am going to need a mocha or something to get me through this meeting. While I am standing in line, my phone rings, and I see it’s from an unknown number. I answer and only hear crying.
“Help… me…”
“Monica? Where are you?” I ask.
“They know,” she answers, choking on sobs.
The phone goes dead.
They know? Earlier, she said she needed my help, and this time she says they know.
“What can I get for you today?” the barista asks.
I order a mocha and quickly walk back over to my table. Derek talks for one hour, and I barely know what the hell he is talking about. I know he wants money, but I have no idea what he wants to do with it. At this point, I really don’t care.
“Can you please email me the information?” I ask as we push our chairs back under the table.
Climbing in next to the Uber driver, I start to wonder how I’ll be able to help my best friend.
Me: Can we have dinner?
Monique: Why?
Me: I need to talk to you.
Monique: I don’t think that is a good idea.
I can’t believe she
won’t even meet with me. I need to find out what they know about Monica and if there is any way I can stop them from doing whatever they are planning. When Monique doesn’t agree to meet with me, I go with plan B.
I call the bar and, thankfully, she doesn’t answer. I ask to speak to Anthony. He answers on the first ring.
“This is Anthony.”
“Hi, it’s Stephanie. Can we talk?”
He is quiet, I then hear him sigh.
“Okay, talk.”
“Not over the phone. Can we meet later?”
“This is a bad idea, Stephanie.”
“Please!”
“Fuck. I’ll give you one hour.”
“Okay. Where can we meet?”
“I’ll text you. Can you meet me at seven?”
“Yes.”
I wait and stare at the clock until I hear from him. At six, he tells me to meet him at a club that is two blocks away from the bar. At seven o’clock, I walk into the club and the girl at the door nods as if she knows exactly who I am here to see.
Anthony stands when I get to the table, and he walks over to give me a hug. He walks behind me to help me off with my jacket and passes it to the girl. When he walks around the table, his eyes lower and lift when he glances at my stomach.
“Stephanie…” He grinds his teeth.
“I didn’t come to talk about that.”
“You’re pregnant.” A muscle quivers in his jaw.
“Monica has been calling me!” My voice trembles.
“Fuck Monica,” he says softly, mockingly.
It is this moment that I realize they figured it out. They know who took the money.
“Anthony.”
“Stephanie, why doesn’t Dominic know that you’re knocked up?”
“I came here to talk about Monica, but if you won’t talk about her, we have nothing else to talk about.”
His jaw clenches, his eyes narrowing. “What do you want to know about her?”
“Are you after her?”
The waiter comes over with a bottle of wine and two salads. My eyes narrow, and Anthony advises that he already ordered for us. Once our wine is poured, the waiter walks away.
“What happens to Monica is no longer your concern.”
I press my lips together in anger. “How can you say that?”
“Okay, you want honesty? How about you answer my questions and I’ll answer yours. I’ll go first.”
I nervously moisten my lips. I have a feeling this won’t be good.
“Is Dominic the father?”
I nod.
“Is Monica in danger?” I ask.
He narrows his eyes and nods.
“Are you planning on telling Dominic?”
I shake my head and hear him grunt.
“Are you planning to kill Monica?”
He nods.
“How far along are you?”
“Almost five months,” I admit.
“When is Dominic getting married?”
He tilts his head as the waiter drops off our steak and lobster. When the waiter leaves, his attention is back on me. “What do you mean, when is he getting married?”
“On the news, when they announced you buying that property, that woman was glued to his side and they said she was his fiancée.”
Anthony laughs as he cuts his steak and tells me that Dominic is not getting married and that woman is the family lawyer. I guess you can’t believe everything you see on the news.
38
AFTER OUR LITTLE GAME, I realize that somehow, I must get Monica out of the mess she created. Maybe I should take some of the blame since I did start the ball rolling?
“How can I stop this?” I whisper.
Anthony drops his fork and closes his eyes. “There is only one person who can do that, Steph. You need to talk to Dominic.”
Glancing down at my stomach, I realize that is the last thing I want to do. Dominic will be furious when he finds out I am pregnant and didn’t tell him. I doubt my little secret will remain safe with Anthony for long, but I am in no hurry to make the call.
After dinner, Anthony gives me a ride home, despite my protest. He asks where I am currently working and how life is treating me. He also advises that I won’t need to work or want for anything once I tell Dominic about the baby. I should feel relieved, but I don’t. I will make my own way and won’t rely on anyone to help me take care of my baby.
Anthony’s eyes lift when he pulls into my driveway. He walks me to the door and leans down to give me a hug before he leaves. He also reminds me that I need to tell Dominic that he will be a daddy or he will.
“PLEASE… HELP… ME,” she cries.
I sit up in bed sweating and realize I was just having a bad dream… this time.
My heart is racing, so I crawl out of bed to get a glass of water. The cramp nearly takes my breath away as I grab my stomach. It’s followed by another one, which makes me fall to the floor. I crawl over to the phone and snatch it from the nightstand. I press one button before everything goes black.
I HEAR loud sirens as several unfamiliar faces lean over me, promising everything will be okay. I glance around, realizing I’m inside an ambulance. I don’t know how I got here. I don’t recall calling 911? My eyes start to feel heavy as a familiar voice barks orders in the background.
“If anything happens to her, much worse will happen to you!” he yells.
“Sir… please sit down! You shouldn’t even be in here!”
“You don’t tell me where I need to be. I’ll own this damn company before you get to the damn hospital.”
Dominic is shouting orders and arguing with anyone who doesn’t give him his way.
What in the hell is he doing here? That’s my last thought before my heavy eyes close.
I FEEL warm and very comfortable. The room is dark and sterile. I feel a warm hand and find Dominic sitting next to my bed, his head laying against my stomach, his hand holding mine. It’s the next morning, and I have slept for hours. He moves when I do, his eyes lifting to meet mine.
“Dominic… what are you doing here?” I whisper.
“You called me, but you didn’t say anything. I got worried, so I came over to check on you and found you passed out on the floor.”
“How did you know where to find me?” I ask.
“Anthony was with me. He gave me your address.”
“What else did Anthony tell you?”
“He didn’t tell me enough. I’ll have to discuss that shit with him later. The doctor said the baby is fine. You just need to avoid stress and get plenty of rest.” His voice grates harshly.
My breath catches in my throat as I feel my heart pounding. He knows about the baby, and he isn’t going anywhere. I don’t know if I am mentally prepared for Dominic. He regards me quizzically for a moment before leaning back into the chair.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Why would I?”
Dominic starts to pace the room, and I and watch. Where do we go from here? What should I expect of him, when I want nothing?
“Where is Monica?” I close my eyes, my heart aching with pain.
His expression is like someone who has been struck in the face. “Steph…” His profile is strong and rigid.
“Dominic, she called me. She said someone was after her. I know Anthony told you she took the money.”
His jaw juts forward. “Anthony? He didn’t tell me anything. He knew about her the entire time?” His dark eyes meet mine.
“No. I just assumed he figured it out after I told him that Ted was innocent. How did you find out if he didn’t tell you?”
“Ted.”
“He told you before you killed him?” I question.
He glares at me, frowning. “Why do you think he’s dead?”
“Isn’t he? I went to the bar looking for you, and they said you were looking for places to bury a body.” I keep my features deceptively composed.
His eyes blaze down into mine. “Let’s not di
scuss this anymore. You’re supposed to be avoiding stress.”
Before I can question him more, the doctor pushes open the door to run more tests before releasing me.
I blink, feeling lightheaded as Dominic races through traffic. The doctor instructed that I need rest, and Dominic promised to take care of me. One hour later, we are heading to parts unknown.
“Dominic… I really would like you to take me home,” I beg.
“Nope, home was apparently stressful. I’m taking you someplace else.” His mercurial black eyes sharpen.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Somewhere you can rest.”
I doubt I will get any rest with him around. I close my eyes and fall asleep.
When I wake up, I am in the most beautiful bedroom. Everything is white, and the bed feels heavenly. Dominic is nowhere around as I sit up and glance around the room. I stare at the chandelier above the bed and decide that I need to look for him.
I hear him before I see him. His voice has depth and authority as he barks out instructions. I can only see the back of whoever he’s talking to, but their voice is familiar.
“Do you understand what you need to do?” he asks.
“Yes… I understand” the familiar voice answers.
This can’t be. I must be hallucinating. It can’t be him. I slowly reach the bottom of the steps, and Dominic’s eyes meet mine. Realizing I’m behind him, he slowly turns, and I stand face to face with Ted.
39
LIFE CAN BE wonderful and fuck you in the ass at the same time. On one hand, I am relieved that Ted is still alive. He didn’t steal Dominic’s money, so he shouldn’t be punished for it. On the other hand, this is still the man who made my life a living hell. I want to hug him, but I still can’t stand him. Then there is Dominic. When did he lose his balls? He is a criminal in the Mafia and, apparently, he has a heart.
“Stephanie.” Ted’s voice sounds distant.
I look between both men. “I don’t understand.”
