Holt's Holding part two (The Holt's Series) (2 page)
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Authors: a dagmara
“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?”
Brady demanded of the doctor.
“I have power of attorney, every power
legally to have consented to an abortion on her behalf.”
He yelled in frustration.
His protectiveness, palpable, and possibly
threatening.
This is why I trusted him
so much.
He knew me better than he knew
anyone.
He knew, I would have, without
question, aborted the pregnancy; without thought.
I’m not an awful person, I actually value
life, but this?
This was so out there,
complicated was an understatement.
I
pregnant with my enemy’s child, shit what was I to do now?
“How do you know…your guessing how far along I am” I yelled
in anger.
“Please…if I can show you” the doctor looked to the nurse
gesturing her over.
“Nurse Liza, please send down an ultrasound technician”
The tech came in as Brady stepped away slightly, allowing
her to pull the covers down, and lifted my gown exposing my swollen abdomen…it
was all too surreal.
She applied the jelly to my exposed stomach; swell of the
pregnancy was more than evident.
I had a
flat stomach, or did; now the bump was very real.
My frame and size, I supposed made it more
than noticeable.
She placed the rod down
rubbing the clear gel around my stomach. The tech pushed a few buttons, and
what seemed to be an eternity, she smiled to me then Brady… “Well it looks like
a perfectly health little girl…based on measurements it looks like your about
18 weeks. Congratulations”, she added looking between Brady and me…
“I’m not the father.” he whispered, then looked down to me.
“Oh”…she paused in shock “I’m sorry I just assumed…my
apologies.”
“No worries”, he added then nervously rubbed his chin.
“You can put the baby up for adoption Lil.” He walked to
the window shaking his head.
“NO…I can’t have this baby at all Brady…I shook my head as
the tech left the room, “I can’t have his baby!”
“And who would be the father Lil…which one?” he looked back
at me in shame.
My heart fluttered with
the distain I found in his eyes.
The
tears pooled.
For the first time, Brady
made me feel shame.
All that I have lived
through, all that merited shame, and this was what did it for him.
Turning away, I was so disgusted with
myself.
The tears fell like a stream
down my face.
“Does it matter?”
My
voice cracked in humiliation.
His
opinion always matter.
His was the only
one I cared about.
“Of course it does!”
His voice was strained. “…is Julie an aunt or is it your former boss a
proud new papa? She never caught wind about you and her brother. He moved to New
York a month after your accident. He tried to visit as did Julie and even a few
of your coworkers…hell, Sebastian even snuck in once.” Brady laughed, “He told
me that he cared about you and that your job would be waiting when you woke.”
He shook his head and turned to me.
His
eyes seemed to soften.
Pursing his lips,
I could see the apology without the words.
“Not sure I should tell you this, but Lucian was here.”
My blood froze.
Lucian
was here.
This wasn’t good.
“How was that?
How was he?”
“I can’t read him Lil.
He was pissed and had yelled at the doctors a few times.”
Brady sat down on the bed.
“He forced me to hire security and place them
at your door.
The man was beyond
insistent and even threatened to take you out of here.”
“What did you tell him?”
Appraising Brady, he was scared of Lucian.
“I did as he told me.
You have guards at your door.”
He
sighed running his hands in a frustrated manor through his hair.
“I told him little, but he is whom he
is.
The man scares the shit out of me
and more now.
I swear, he gets colder
every time I see him.
What does he have
on you Lil?
Why won’t he just let you
go?”
“Lucian collects people like possessions Brady.
I made a choice that choice, however,
stupid,
will forever bind me to him.
I don’t
want to talk about him.”
I sighed; the
memory of one stupid choice was something I didn’t want to focus on.
There are too many other things that need a
resolution.
“So, changing
topics, who’s the father?”
He turned and
looked at me.
“Charlie, I’m certain of it.”
“Fuck.
Well, at
least no one knows.”
He sighed.
“The Vaihn brothers are a fucking pain in the
ass.”
His last comment sounded more like
a personal thought.
“What do they know?”
“I told them that your comma would be long term and that I
was moving you to a long term care facility.
I actually told everyone the same story…Lil…someone
tried to kill you.
That night at power
plant, someone was aiming for you.
I had
your car looked over after the accident…the brake lines were pierced.”
He looked down to the floor.
“I should have known…my brakes seemed less responsive
earlier that day. Do we know who?”
“No, nothing conclusive…but I suspect…I did some more
digging and I think you were right from the beginning. I should have heeded
your words.
You wanted out, hell, you
suspected that someone might…” his words dropped, and the guilt hung over his
entire demeanor.
What was he not telling
me?
“There was no way of knowing Brady, and the fact that I’m
still alive is a blessing…this pregnancy, however, …” I shook my head crying.
“This changes everything Brady…I don’t know how to play this hand.”
“I’m sorry Lil!”
His
own tears seemed to be caught in his throat.
Turning to my side, I felt him climb into my bed behind me.
“I’m an ass, forgive me Lil, this can’t be
easy.
Fuck, I failed you!”
He breathed into my neck.
Pulling him close, I cried in his hold.
“maybe we change the approach…go back to
basics.
I think we handle things
straight.”
“I think your right…things have undeniably changed.
Being here for the past three months and out
of the business,” I sighed, “…so how is the company doing?”
“Holding.” he smirked.
“I think it’s best to tell no one I’m awake.”
“Agreed…probably a good idea since we still have nothing
regarding who is trying to put you in a grave.”
He added in a tense voice.
“Lil,
they’re going to know who you really are when you don’t show up for the
takeover.”
“I know.”
I paused,
he was right, but I had time to sort it out.
“How are we with everything else?” I asked in curiosity.
“Ready and simply waiting on you…this is your circus, your
monkey.”
I turned my body to his, his
hands wiped my tears and his eyes, apologetic.
He didn’t have to say it.
His
eyes spoke volumes; I knew he felt like he failed me.
He always held a sense of responsibility for
me.
Perhaps it was nothing more than guilt
caused by choices that occurred in the past.
Brady had the life, he thought I deserved.
It wasn’t in the cards for me, yet he still
held the guilt.
It didn’t matter because
he was the one person who loved me unconditionally.
I loved him in the same way.
It wasn’t a love like a woman and man share,
this was like family, he was my family.
I would lay my life down for him, and I had no doubt that he would do
the same.
“I suppose it is…” my hands mindlessly wrapped my abdomen.
“How do you plan to deal with that?” His eyes landed on my
stomach.
I had no idea what to do…I never planned on a pregnancy…yet
here I was pregnant and with the last person on earth I would have ever of thought…yes,
I was certain I knew whom the father was…Charlie.
This was not how I had ever envisioned things, he was a monumental
off limit, and now I was pregnant. I needed to sort this out. And quickly
“I see the wheels turning, what are you up to?”
Brady asked in his usual tone.
“Brady, I need to know when I can leave…find out - I need
out of here.”
I urged him.
“I’m sure it will be a couple of days…where are you going
to stay?”
Shit that’s right, I had told Julie I planned to move out.
“My house.”
“Good, nobody will think you’re there. Did you finish
furnishing it?”
“Yeah, it’s been waiting for almost 6 months.”
“Good, I had your things put in storage.
I’ll have it moved to your house immediately.…I’ll
stock the house with groceries. I’m assuming that Nana has keys?”
“Yes…she does.”
“Ok then, let’s see about getting you home and under
wraps.”
Brady shifted off the bed, to
his feet and circled around with a determined expression.
“Brady…please don’t tell anyone, including Nana about the
pregnancy.”
He paused and slighted his
head.
“That’s your card to play how you see fit…and I’m sure
you’ll work that out soon enough.” He knew me too well.
Offering a grin, he matched my expression.
A new plan was forming…I was good that way.
“It’s a good thing you have me” Brady laughed, “based on
that expression of yours, something tells me, you’re cooking something up.”
“Perhaps.
Brady…first,
I need to get out of here.”
“I’ll work on getting you out of here sooner than later.”
“Thank you Brady.”
“Don’t mention it…you are my best friend Lil, my family…and
I protect what’s mine.”
“As I would do for you Brady.”
“I don’t doubt it for a moment, you’ve already proved that
in more ways than one,” his eyes held so much guilt.
“Get well, I’ll work everything else out.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I grinned staring out to the snowy
sky.
Brady reached down and kissed my forehead before he left
the room.
******
It was three days of tests, scans and lots of monitoring.
I was finally being discharged. Brady ever so thoughtful
brought me cloths. Yoga pants as he was unsure what would fit…an oversized
sweat shirt, his, tennis shoes and a baseball hat.
We had a pretty serious snow storm so the drive home would
be slow. In his oversized hummer, he helped me climb in.
“Are you ready to go home?”
He grinned from ear to ear.
I
guess he was as happy as I was to get out of the hospital.
“I suppose…it’s been so long. I’m honestly just glad to be
out of the hospital.” Shaking my head “I can’t believe it’s December?”
I turned my gaze out the window.
The sky was grey and threatening more snow.
“Christmas is in a few day’s…I hope you don’t mind, but Sam
and I decided to decorate your house. I told her, you were coming home…I
thought maybe you would need a girlfriend around. And don’t worry she won’t
tell anyone.”
“You told her about the pregnancy?”
I turned to face him.
“No…just that you woke up. Oh, she and I are dating.”
He smiled turning on the car, pulling out
from the hospital grounds.
I smiled…well I knew that was coming.
“How long?”
“Pretty much immediately after she was shot.” His face
looked a bit saddened perhaps the memory of her in his arms bleeding was still
too fresh.
“I’m so happy for you both. I knew there was something real
developing, and honestly, I think the idea of two of my friends together… I’m
so happy for you guys…I think you guys are perfect.”
“Yeah...” he smirked and smiled “we are.”
The drive was beautiful. Maryland rarely got snowstorms
like this one. Everything was beautifully covered in white…the landscape,
majestic and innocent.
Mindlessly, my hands wrapped around my swollen abdomen, I
didn’t know how to feel about this…it was a girl…I shook my head, and again my
tears fell down my face.
Brady said nothing only placed his hand on my leg, and
rubbed it with concern.
“I don’t know what to do?”
I whispered in a cry.
“You don’t need to do anything right now Lil. Take some time…you
were just released from the hospital. You don’t need to work this out.
Let it all settle in, and as far as the
business aspect of things, everything has played out just as we planned. We’ve
made the acquisitions slowly, and discretely…It was brilliant the way you
mapped it all out…Shit, there wasn’t that much work on my part.
I swear you’re a fucking genius Lil.”
“Well that’s probably the best news I’ve heard.” At least
something had gone right.
“Though, I think maybe we keep you out of it for a bit
longer. We need to figure out who’s after you.”
“Well it’s a good thing you planted the seeds that, I was
not coming out of my coma…but eventually there will be a reckoning…I can’t
hide. That defeats the entire point.”
“Yes, but you always said timing would be everything.”
Brady added.
He was right everything was dependent on timing…I knew this,
I just needed a reminder.
I would unquestionably need to figure this all out…including
this pregnancy. I didn’t know how this little girl fit in.
The word “property” seemed to circle …then the word “mine”.
She was mine, and I had no intent on sharing what was me….she was a part of me
regardless of whom her father was.
Wow,
talk about some serious
dejavu
?
Nicholas immediately entered my
thoughts.
God, was I doing this
again?
Nicholas was my greatest secret,
he was my son and no one knew of him besides Brady and a dear associate, Leny.
Brady looking to me
knowningly
,
as if he sensed where my mind just went.
“You’ve done it before.”
He whispered.
So I have.
I guess at least this time, the fear of death
or my child being manipulated wasn’t an issue.
Nicholas was in hiding for those reasons.
This child didn’t have those threats hovering
around, yet, instinctually my need was to protect to her the same way.
Looking up, we pulled thru the driveway…it had been a while
for me and it felt like a lifetime.
The house was similar to the one I grew up in. I knew it
wasn’t the same. I had rebuilt it with some changes. I couldn’t rebuild the
same house, but, there were aspects that I kept true. Pulling up around the
curved driveway, it looked like the same house. Just a more modern twist. I
needed to make it my own. I needed it to be more.
Brady wasn’t joking about decorating.
It looked like he and Sam went to town with
the lights and wreaths that hung at every window.
He looked over to me, and then to the house, “Is it too
much?”
“No,
it’s perfect!”
And it was. The house looked beautiful.
Brady turned the car off and quickly jumped out as I just
stared. My door opened, he helped me out of the hummer holding me tight.
I sensed his protectiveness; cautiously, he walked us to
the door.
Brady looked down at me and smiled, before opening the
door. The warmth hit of the house ushered out, greeting me. The house was
breath taking. The open foyer and double staircase lined with a basil leaf
garland. It was indeed beautiful.
Sam came through the hall; her hands clapping and her
smile, from ear to ear.
She was
infectious, and I missed her.
“Lil…oh, Lil!”
Her
tears ran down her face.
“Sam”, she ran and hugged me tight
“I’m so glad you’re ok!
I missed you so much!”
I felt her
tears as they invited my own.
“I missed you too Sam!” I pulled up from her as she was
smiling and crying…matching my own emotions.
“This house is phenomenal Lil”, she smile, her eyes wide.
“Thanks.”
“Where in the world did you afford to buy this place?”
She released me and stepped back, gesturing
to our surroundings.
“I didn’t buy it…it was my family home. I had it rebuilt.”
She slighted her head quizzically; I knew I would have to
explain a part of my life that I shared with no one but Brady. Brady only knew
because he and I grew up together.
I watched as her eyes landed on Brady…she was quick to
touch on it.
“Why don’t we get Lil to the sofa…she’s still recovering.”
He offered with caution trying to move the subject.
“Ok.” she pulled expression tight at him then smiled once
more at me.
We moved into the house and part of me felt frozen looking
into the family room…the French doors to the patio. The tremble rolled thru me.
Sam paused as if my tremble shot straight to her.
Without saying a word, it was an understanding that she
could sense. She held my hand and walked me in.
I had to remind myself that there were two steps down into
the sunken room.
We walked over, and I made my way into the oversized and unusually
deep linen sofa I had purchased three months ago, from restoration hardware. Sitting
down, sinking slowly,
I was grateful I
chose to go with the down stuffed cushions…oh, what heaven it was.
I sat back, and Brady brought me a blanket.
Nestling into the sofa, I prepared myself for
the questions that were surely forming in Sam’s mind.
She was in the kitchen, and I knew based on
her expression the gears were turning.
The family room sat in the center of the house the open and
expansive kitchen sat to the left. Looking over, Sam was making coffee or
something. Seeing the mugs in her hands; then smelling the aroma…she had made
hot cocoa. I smiled as she walked cautiously, trying not to spill. She handed
me the mug and smiled at me.
“It’s hot, and I put some marsh mellows in. You do like
marsh mellows?” She looked worried and her tone quiet.
“Thanks and of course. Who would like marsh mellows and if
they don’t that’s a queue that there is something wrong with them.” I laughed
hoping to lighten the mood.
Sam smiled and sat down on the sofa directly across from
me.
“So…um? I seriously missed you”, she let out.
I wasn’t sure what to say to that. I missed her too, but
for me the three months were like only a night.
“I hear that you and Brady are finally a couple.”
I smiled pulling a sip of the cocoa.
Grinning like a woman in love,
“Yeah…we are. I don’t know why I tried to hold
out.
He had said that you were always
goading him about me.”
“Guilty as charged. It had been pretty obvious that the two
of you; well…here you are. And I couldn’t be happier Sam. You and Brady are my
closest friends…Brady has been like family to me since I was young. I guess he
is like a brother to me.” My eyes found Brady as he looked at me almost a bit
worried or was that relief?
“Well that seems right…I always wondered. The way the two
of you interacted…it had always seemed like the two of you had this weird
unspoken language. I have to admit; at times, it was a bit intimidating. I even
once thought that maybe you two were …you know.”
The sudden need to laugh took hold and quick as I shook my
head.
“What’s so funny?” he looked down to me then to Sam.
Her expression was one of innocence, and then quickly
started to laugh as well.
“No,
Sam! He and I
have never.” I over annunciated the word never
“Oh!” Brady added now understanding.
He came around the sofa and sat beside Sam. She was quick
to curl up into his chest. Observing the two of them, they were very at ease
and at one with the other.
My mind
suddenly landed on Charlie and our last night together.
Stupid fantasies of what could never be.
Looking out to the dark and grey sky evening was
approaching and another round of snow was headed our way.
“I think it might be best that the two of you stay the night…it
looks threatening out there, and these back roads can get icy really quick.”
“Good, I was going to ask, but not for that reason. We
thought perhaps it would be good to stay for a day or two until you settle in,
and I know you’re ok.”
Brady offered,
watching my expression.
He was being
over protective; however, that’s what I loved about him.
“Not that I don’t appreciate the gesture Brady…but I don’t
need you to be my sitter.” I paused “I would love to have you both here
regardless. This house is very big, and there are plenty of rooms to choose
from”
“This is definitely a large home Lil” Sam added, “I
wondered around earlier” She paused looking up to Brady then back to me. “Lil…I
noticed that there was a little girls room upstairs?”
Taking my mug to my lips, all I could see was Alley.
“Yes there is. That room, it is similar to my little
sister’s room.
I know a little morbid…but…”
my tears came down. Shaking it off and wiping my face. “I’m sorry it’s just I
miss her all the time. She was so young when the fire claimed her.
I felt the need to remake her room. I know
silly.”
Geez, I had no grip on my
emotions.
Damn pregnancy hormones.
I had no other explanation.
“No, that’s not silly Lil”, her voice was caring and tender
as she walked over to me and hugged me. “I knew you had lost your family, I
just didn’t know details. I had no idea that your sister was so young. I don’t
know how you have managed to be so strong. Perhaps a part of her lives on within
you.”
With her last statement…I jerked up, almost spilling my
cocoa. Sam’s hands were swift as she took it from me and placed the mug on the
table.
“Are you ok?”
She
looked to my confused.
My hands and expression dropped to my stomach…
“She moved? I think she moved?” I looked up to Brady as his
expression was wide eyed moving from me to Sam.
Shit…Sam didn’t know.
“What moved? What are you talking about” I could tell she
was looking back and forth between Brady and me. Her hand was almost
immediately on my stomach. “Oh my god you’re pregnant!” Her voice was slow and
tempered with the realization.
Again, I felt another fluttering and possibly a little
kick.
“Oh my god…I felt that!” Sam’s voice was now excited.
“You’re so damn skinny, shit!
I felt the
baby move.”
She smiled ear to ear.