Innocence (35 page)

Sophie sobbed, holding her hand to her face. It killed him to see her in such a way but, it was nothing that he hadn’t expected after all, it was a shock to see your little one fighting for her tiny life.

He had looked at the nurse and noticed her watching him. He grinned as his stomach curdled, he bet the nurse expected him to offer Sophie comfort, due to him being the father… partner, all the lies he had said and now he bet people were about to work the situation out. He couldn’t allow that to happen, he couldn’t risk not being near Sophie.

Calvin had moved nearer to Sophie and wrapped his arm around her shoulders and Sophie to his surprise snuggled into his chest and shed tears. He had felt his top becoming wet and wrapped his arms around her tighter, holding her securely, sharing and feeling her sorrow. His heart ached deeply inside his chest as she wept. He ran his hands up and down her back, offering her all the comfort she needed and hadn’t let go until Sophie did.

He saw the nurse watching them, grinning, betting she could understand the pain the mother was going through.

Sophie came back to the incubator after expressing the magic medicine, delighted she was doing something to contribute to her daughter’s health. She approached and he could see her eyes filling up. He turned and opened his arms allowing her to collapse onto his chest. He kissed the top of her head, holding her securely, never wanting to let her feel alone again. She had him and could have him as long as she wished.

Calvin turned his head more to the right and saw Rosalind and Alan approaching
. “
Oh for God sake,” he muttered under his breath aware exactly what they would think.

Sophie came off of his chest, eyes red raw, tears and snorting. The nurse passed him some tissues to hand to Sophie as she blew her nose.

“I’m surprised you are here, Sophie,” Rosalind said.

Sophie turned around to look at the pair.

“Why? Did you expect me to ignore my sick daughter?” she snapped.

Calvin knew it was the pain that struck out. Rosalind glared at her wide-eyed, but surely she couldn’t expect anything different…

“Sorry,” she said tears running down her cheeks.

“I need the toilet,” she said abruptly.

He sensed she wasn’t a happy woman at all.

“Let me show you where they are.”

Sophie walked away with the nurse and he watched her being taken out of the room and back to the corridor.

He watched Rosalind move closer to the incubator.

“I see you brought Sophie here,” she said, looking in on Kacey.

“Yes,” he answered bluntly.

“Was it wise? With her still recovering?” she said, turning her head to look over her left shoulder at him.

“Yes. I think it was the best medicine for her. She needed to see Kacey.”

“Why didn’t she wait until we arrived?” she asked stern.

“I have no idea,” he answered, not needing to lose his temper as much as he craved to.

“When are you heading to London?” she added.

Calvin wanted to say never, just to see the look on her face, watching the sheer horror on her face would make him chuckle.

“Tonight,” he replied.

Rosalind turned to stare at him shocked.

“Oh…well, I’m sure you’ll have plenty of work to keep you busy down there,” she added.

“Yes, plenty, but I’ll be back in a few days.”

“Why is that?” Rosalind asked.

Calvin noticed Alan standing and gazing at the little bundle.

“Because I am needed here,” he replied, not liking where the conversation was leading.

Rosalind glared evil, narrowing her eyes at him. He waited for her sarcastic reply.

“I don’t need you messing with my daughter’s head,” she told him.

“Of course not, and I wouldn’t do that,” he told her, but then she would be the queen of messing with her daughter’s life. He needed to be very careful with what he said at the moment as he still had an issue with what happened ten years ago. How could he ever forgive the woman for sending Sophie to have an abortion and killing their child? Who the hell gave her the right to do such a thing? He understood Sophie was young, scared, and confided in her mum for advice. The fact remained she forced her daughter into an abortion, due to not wishing to destroy the family name, purely disgraceful, killing an innocent baby.

Each time he thought about ten years ago, and what happened, it crippled him, making him feel sick to the core. There was no question about it, he would have looked after Sophie and the baby, no matter about his career.

How he hated the woman standing so close to him, but what could he do other than remain supporting Sophie.

Right now, Sophie needed no stress whatsoever, and he would do anything to keep the calm. 

Chapter Sixteen

It had almost felt like weeks since she had last seen Calvin, and boy, how she craved to have him close, just hearing his voice would be enough to soothe her. He had texted her, but there had been some major dilemma with the business meeting that delayed him from getting back up north. Sophie had told him not to worry, that she didn’t expect that much from him. Only that part had been a lie. She really missed him and would do anything to have him close.

Spending the whole day in the neonatal unit, and finally being able to change her daughter’s nappy for the first time was pretty amazing. She was so tiny. Her health was getting better being off the ventilator and the nurse was confident she would soon no longer need the help of the IV line. The unit was now concentrating on Kacey maintaining her body temperature and her feeds were slowly being increased.

She sat on her bed when the nurse from the ward came and collected her, knowing soon she’d need to express again. It was her way of helping her daughter making sure she got the right nourishment to help with brain development, bone, and prevent infection. It was good to know she helped her daughter, she would do whatever means possible. She just wished she could hold her in her arms, but knew her daughter was far too small and unable to move from where she was in the incubator.

Holding the mobile phone, tapping her fingers on her tummy, debating on calling a certain person, but she had doubts, too many doubts. Sophie didn’t wish to menace him, but the fact she needed someone sane to talk too. Her mum was driving her crazy, trying to give her advice about Calvin…Calvin.
What the hell!

She couldn’t stop herself and needed to call him, even if it was to moan. She knew he would listen, hell he had listened to everything since meeting her at the bridge.

Sophie found his number and decided to go for it.

“Hello there,” his sweet, soft voice replied.

Sophie instantly smiled, lured into his charm.

“Hi, how are you?” she asked, trying not to snigger or act too thrilled to hear his voice.

“I am very well and yourself?”

“Oh doctors are saying that I’m on the road to recovery and that hopefully, in a day or so I can go stay with Kacey, only waiting on a room to become empty so I can move in,” she told him.

“That is fantastic news! Just what you needed to hear! So you’re recovering well, and that is what matters,” he said.

She hooded her eyes to vision his glorious smile.

“Yes. I’m recovering well, about time if you ask me. So fed-up with this damn room. I want to be closer to Kacey. How is London?” she thought to ask, needing to hear about someone else’s life for a change.

“Not too bad. I haven’t seen much of it, due to being stuck in the office and negotiating with idiots, who think they know what there’re talking about and in theory are just trying to screw me over. But I will cope, no wool pulled over my eyes.” He chuckled.

“That is great. So you’re getting it sorted?”

“Yeah. Have your parents been with you?”

“Unfortunately, yes. Mum is trying to tell me what to do. My dad spoke to me briefly about getting a house.”

“That is amazing, so it’s all coming together?” he said excited.

“Yes. I guess so,” she said, lowering her tone.

“What is wrong?”

Only Calvin would pick up that she wasn’t keen.

“Hey…what is it?” he asked.

Tears filled her eyes.

“Nothing,” she answered sharp.

“Okay, now I know you’re lying to me.”

“It’s nothing. It’s all these raging damn hormones I have racing around my body,” she said, giving the perfect excuse.

“Okay. Are you sure that is all it is?”

She blubbered more. “Yes,” she answered, really longing for a cuddle from him. She’d loved it when he’d placed his arm around her when she saw Kacey for the first time. He was so warm, and smelt divine, full of spices. He had to be the most sincere man she’d ever met. He cared for everything she felt and did, no one had ever shown her that much compassion before.

“So why am I struggling to believe you?” he asked, keeping his voice low.

“I have no idea. I just think my parents are, helping me little too late, and are riddled with guilt,” she added, her stomach swirled.

“I intend to agree with that. They no doubt are riddled with the guilt, especially your mum, your dad, I feel sorry for as he never knew the truth. And yes, you could have done with all the support earlier in life…” he paused.

She heard him swallow heavy.

“I just…”

“Don’t, Calvin, please don’t.”

Sophie still needed to tell him the truth about Sabastian, but over the phone was not the right way to tell him, in honesty, she had no idea of his location or if he was at work, or in his home, or out and about. It sounded quiet.

“Where are you?” she asked and heard a loud crash from his end of the line needing to pull the phone away from her ear.

“Sorry I never caught that. About thirty cups and plates have been scattered all over the floor.” He laughed.

“Oh, that sounds costly,” she said miffed.

“Nar, they’re all plastic.” He chuckled. “What did you ask me again?”

“Where are you?”

“Where am I? Where would you like me to be?” he asked.

She puckered up her brows.

“Erm…well in honestly, here,” she said, confused, keeping her brows lifted.

“Really? Why is that?”

Sophie tried to figure out why he was teasing her. “Sane conversation.”

“Ah, so not for my wonderful charm and sophistication? Good afternoon!” she heard him say to another.

“You sound very sure of yourself.” She giggled.

“Well, I am.” He chuckled. “Now answer my question?”

“Because I need a sane conversation,” she replied being sure she told him that.

“Why am I feeling disappointed?” he said.

“Erm, I don’t know.” She frowned, puzzled, sensing her cheeks were burning crimson.

“But then again…hiya, okay?” he said again to another sounding like he was greeting others.

“Look, I’m guessing you’re busy and I am simply annoying you,” Sophie said, trembling, annoyed that he was busy elsewhere, no doubt at work, with it being early afternoon.

“Don’t talk silly…you would never annoy me,” he mocked. “Well, okay, maybe just a little.”

Sophie struggled with the conversation, aware her cheeks were bright red, being delighted he was in London, as right now…

A knock came at the door. She gulped no doubt the doctor or nurse had arrived, not wishing to stop talking to Calvin, there was so much she needed to tell him. She saw the door handle going down, indicating it was being opened.

“Can I call you back later, I have someone here?”

“Really? Why?” he mocked.

“Because…I have someone here,” she said.

“No I mean why do you need to call me back?”

The door started to open. Her heart skipped a few vital beats.

“I want to talk to you.”

“Is that it?”

“Yes, why?” she asked back.

The door stopped and handle went up.

“I might be busy later,” he told her, She breathed with relief the person at the door had maybe changed their mind about annoying her.

“What did you say, sorry miles away?”

“I might be busy.”

“Oh, well in that case, can I call you shortly, I urgently need to speak to you.”

“Oh about?”

“Calvin,” she raised her voice.

“Sorry, you have me curious,” he scoffed, when the door handle was touched again to her room.

“I have to go, I will call you later.”

“Okay, if you’re sure!”

She watched intently at the door handle, regretting the fact she had to end her call to Calvin, just listening to the sound of his voice made her feeble and desirable.

The door opened when she saw much to her surprise and thrill, Calvin, his brown eyes sparkling and a cheerful smile beaming at her. Her heart danced and a smile crept across her face, enchanted. She breathed heavily, the pit of her stomach somersaulted. God, he looked divine, holding the phone to his ear lifting his brow. “I have to go because, I have a friendly face visiting,” she said and hung off.

He walked into the room his eyes glued to hers. She swallowed. He was back.

“Friendly face hey?” he teased. “I guess…you have resented the fact I have been in London?” he said, closing the door behind him and slowly turned around to look at her.

“A little,” she mocked.

* * * *

“A little,” he said, grinning at her, followed by a wink.

“Yes a little. How come you’re here?”

“Got bored,” Calvin replied, the truth was he couldn’t stay away. He wanted nothing more than to be with Sophie and Kacey, and if it meant breaking rules, missing business meetings then so be it. “However, I would recommend you wait a while before asking for a cup of tea, cups have just gone all over the floor,” he said expressing amusement.

“Oh, I see…explains plenty.” She laughed.

She turned her head to the side, he noticed her cheeks turn a rosy tint.

“I think it’s great about your parents.” He walked to the opposite side of the bed and poured Sophie and him a cordial drink.

“You do?” she asked whilst he handed her the plastic cup.

“Yes, I do, I think it’s great, they owe you ten frigging years, or at least your mum does. I feel sorry about your father being kept in the dark. Nevertheless, he could have done something about it. But he didn’t, or did he? We have no real idea.”

“He was always at work when I was a teenager and never saw half the things,” she told him.

He watched her taking a sip of her juice while he intently scrutinized her lips.

He sat in the chair beside the bed before his knees gave-way. He longed to reach for her hand, or better still, kiss her on the cheek, or lips but he knew, he wouldn’t be too willing to leave them. His heart thumped enough inside his chest without causing more.

“Yes, providing for the family.”

“You mean Mum keeping up her appearances with Mrs. Bouquet.” She giggled.

“Well, that too…” he said, taking a sip of his drink. His mouth had gone dry, unsure if it was the extensive heat in the hospital, or nerves from being so close to Sophie.

The journey back to York had been hell, him thinking about Sophie and nothing else. He called his father to tell him he was coming back, it wasn’t a conversation that went down very well. The truth was he had to be close to Sophie, and judging by the phone call and her reaction when he opened the door she felt the same way, which had been enough to pull on his heartstrings.

She was so beautiful, never had his manhood reacted the way it had with her, but he had to remember she needed him for love and support, not a relationship and there was nothing saying she wanted a loving bond. His heart longed to be with her and her daughter, offering all the protection he could possibly give including stability, the one thing Sophie craved so much. Calvin bet Sophie also craved someone sane to talk to and help her through her troubled time, and he was going to be there as a friend not a lover.

“When are you heading back to London?”

He glanced up to her with his mind travelled far away, trapped in her arms. “Erm not sure, need to speak to Father…I don’t think it will be a good or easy conversation.”

“Oh, is he cross with you?”

“Nothing I cannot handle. Don’t worry…” he said seeing her lowering her head. “Honestly it’s fine, Sophie.” He reached for her hand and took hold. Her hand was so soft and warm. How he could sit by her side and gaze at her forever. His heart missed beats and his mouth went dry just to the possible thought of them being anything more than friends.

“Calvin,” he heard her stutter.

He lifted his head from his thoughts and turned to look at her. “Yes.”

“I have something to tell you and please promise not to freak out on me,” she said narrowing her eyes at him.

“Okay,” he promised. “Is it Kacey?”

“No, she’s fine, it doesn’t involve Kacey,” she said swallowing hard.

“You had to contact her father?” he said cringing at the thought, but understood if she had, with Kacey being blood.

“God no.” 

“Go on,” he said, smiling at her.

“Promise me not to go crazy,” she said fearful.

“I promise. What is it?”

The anxious frown that appeared on her face made him feel uneasy.

“Do you remember when I told you about my bag getting stolen and that everything I owned was in it?”

“I do.”

“Well, not only was there clothes in it but, other bits and bobs and there was also some valuable information in it and well…my heart bleeds whenever I think about it,” she said.