The Deception (43 page)

"I understand," said Alex.

"Unfortunately, legal aid wasn't much help. Back then, I wasn't fully aware of what my rights were as a parent, nor did I have the resources to hire an attorney to fight for those rights. Linda had taken out a restraining order, and I knew if I forced the issue, I'd end up in jail. It would be a few years before I was finally able to hire an attorney, and by then, Carrie was a teenager. That's when Linda finally agreed to meet with the attorney and me."

Carrie let out a gasp. "What? When was this?"

"It was at the beginning of your freshman year of high school, Carrie, and yes, your mother and I met in person. I'd remarried by then, so your stepmother was there too. First your mother assured us that you were doing well. She also said you believed I'd abandoned you and that you hated me. I said I wanted to see you so I could set the record straight. That's when she made the point, quite clearly, that if I ever tried to make contact with you she'd immediately take out another restraining order and flee the state. My attorney warned her that if she did she'd be charged with parental kidnapping but your mother didn't care. She said she was willing to risk going to jail if it meant keeping me away from you."

"I don't understand," said Carrie. "This doesn't sound like Mama. I was fifteen years old at the time. So why wouldn't she have told me and at least given me the chance to decide for myself if I wanted to see you or not?"

Jonathan let out a sigh. "We all have our darker sides, Cara Mia. I know her original intention was to protect you. That I understood. Let's face it. Off and on, for about a year or so, I was strung out on coke. It made me a lousy father and she didn't want to risk you being exposed to it again. Had the situation had been reversed, I might have done the same thing. But as the years passed, it had apparently grown into something more, and I didn't want your mother using you as a pawn for getting even me. So, rather than cause you any more pain and anguish, or having your mother end up in jail, I decided you'd be better off if I stayed out of your life. It was the most agonizing decision I've ever made. You know the rest of the story."

"So that explains why some of the records were missing," said Carrie. "Mama didn't want me going through her papers and finding out you were still alive. How could she do that to me?"

"Let's not dwell on it, okay Cara Mia? It's over and done with and we can't go back and change it. So, here we are. I've finally got my daughter back, just in time to learn she's in a family way."

"I'm so sorry Reggie inadvertently blurted it out. Neither one of us had a clue as to who you really were. No wonder the color drained from your face."

"You both thought I was the computer nerd who you'd never see again. Then, when the bullet struck me, I honestly thought I was about to die. That's why I called you Cara Mia, hoping you'd make the connection, which you immediately did. I didn't want to die knowing that you still hated me."

Carrie stood up to embrace him and they both quietly held one another. Alex waited patiently until Carrie returned to her seat, dabbing her eyes with a tissue.

"The reason why I wanted to talk to you, sir," explained Alex, "is because I was raised by a Spanish immigrant father and I guess I still respect some of the old customs. I wanted to ask your permission for your daughter's hand in marriage."

Carrie let out a quiet gasp as she reached for another tissue.

"Carrie and I have known one another since we were children. We grew up together, but then we lost touch with one another after we started college. However, as the years went by, I came to realize that she was the only woman I'd ever truly love. Fate brought us back together, despite the peculiar circumstances, the same way it brought you and her back together."

Jonathan waited for a moment before giving his answer. "Well, all things considered, I guess I can't say no, can I?"

"I suppose not, but just so you know, this wasn't a planned pregnancy. We only learned about the baby a few days ago ourselves."

"Let me clue you in on something, son," said Jonathan, "they're usually not planned, trust me on that. But even if she wasn't expecting, I would have still given you my blessing. I'm not blind, you know. I watched the two of you that day in your office, and the day she got the threatening letter. You two are soul mates, just like her stepmother and me."

Alex reached into his pocket. "And just so you know, Carrie-Anne, I bought this for you last December, right after my birthday. Then I decided that rather than giving it to you for Christmas, I'd give it to you tonight at The Saddleback, but that didn't happen either. So, here goes..."

Alex opened box, revealing the diamond engagement ring inside. He reached over and slipped it on her finger.

"And if you don't say yes, sister, I'll marry him." Another nurse had just entered the room. She was short and heavy-set, with thick glasses and short, curly gray hair. "So, what's it gonna be? The doctor's on his way, and I don't have all night."

"Well, of course my answer is yes. Thank you for asking." There was a mock exasperation in her voice.

"Good answer, and while I hate to break up this special moment, you need your rest, your father needs his rest, and your
fiancé
here looks like he's about ready to drop, so I'm kicking him out of this hospital, right now. He needs to go home and get some shut eye."

"Can I at least walk him to the elevator?"

"Go ahead, but don't take too long."

"Goodnight Jonathan, and good luck with that one," said Alex. "I'll be back in the morning."

Carrie kissed her father goodnight and walked Alex to the elevator.

"That old battle axe is right, you know," said Carrie. "You look exhausted. Go home and get some rest. I'll be fine for the rest of the night."

"I will. Goodnight, Carrie-Anne. I'll be back tomorrow morning."

"I'll be here."

They gave each other a long, lingering kiss while they waited for the elevator. After he left, Carrie headed back to her room, finding several nurses had gathered there.

"We just heard congratulations are in order," said one.

"So don't just stand there," said another. "Show us the ring."

Carrie held out her hand. Her face was beaming.

"Nice one."

"Get some rest," said another, helping her into her bed. "You're going to need it. He looks like a real stud muffin."

"He is."

They all had a laugh as Carrie settled in her bed, relieved that the worst was now behind her. The nurses left, and before long she drifted off into a deep, heavy sleep.

C
arrie was awakened by the sunlight streaming in through her window. She opened her eyes and looked around the room, trying to get her bearings. She spotted Catherine Montoya, reading a book as she sat in a nearby chair.

"Good morning, Carrie. How are you feeling?"

"A little disoriented. For a moment there I thought it had all been a bad dream. So what time is it?"

"A few minutes past nine." Catherine glanced at her watch. "Alex is at home. Still asleep, the last I heard."

Carrie looked down at her left hand. She smiled as she gazed at her diamond ring. It hadn't been a dream either.

"I know, I saw." At least Catherine had a smile. "Alex told us about it last night."

"Are you guys okay with this?"

"Of course we're okay with this, and we couldn't be happier. Honestly, Carrie, this whole thing has been blown way out of proportion. My husband can be an opinionated, cantankerous old curmudgeon when it suits him. Half the time he doesn't mean it, the rest of the time he gets over it. Over the years, I've learned not to take it too seriously. That said, he was really, truly shocked when he first learned about your recent past. We both were. He always thought of you like a daughter. He understands that Scott lied to both you and Allison, but he's still troubled knowing there are people out there looking at those photos and thinking of you in such a way. Deep down he feels guilty, because we weren't here when you were in such desperate need. We lost touch with Linda after you'd lost touch with Alex."

"So, how are we feeling today?" A nurse came into the room. "I see you're finally awake, and I heard there was some excitement around here last night. Let me see the ring."

Carrie extended her left hand. Her face was beaming.

"Very pretty." She started taking Carrie's pulse and blood pressure. They waited quietly while she worked. "Everything looks good, and the doctor plans on releasing you in a few hours."

"Thank goodness. I want to go home, but first I want to see my father."

"You can see him in a few minutes. The doctor's in there with him now."

"Is he okay?"

"He's doing very well. They
plan to release him this weekend, if not sooner. Meantime, how 'bout you? Any pain or nausea?"

"Actually, it's the first time in weeks I haven't woken up nauseous. Whatever he's given me for the morning sickness sure works."

"Good to hear. We'll bring you some breakfast in a little while."

"You know what I'd like instead? I'd really like a banana split. With extra caramel sauce."

"You're definitely pregnant," she said with a laugh. "With me it was pepperoni pizza with onions. Couldn't get enough of it."

"Chinese food here," added Catherine. "Sweet and sour pork, and it had to be on fried rice."

All three laughed, then Carrie asked the nurse if she could take a shower.

"Let's check your bandage." Carrie pulled up the side of her nightshirt, allowing the nurse to inspect it. "Looks like it's waterproof, but be careful and try to avoid getting it wet. We'll change it later on today and instruct you on how to take care of it once you're home."

The nurse stepped out and Carrie asked for her overnight bag. Catherine handed it to her and she eagerly rummaged through it.

"Yes! Allie remembered my sweats, and a pair of tennis shoes."

She grabbed her gear and headed off to the bathroom. The shower felt invigorating. It was as if she were washing away all of the tragedy from the day before. She emerged in her sweats and began combing out her hair.

"Good morning." Julia and Danny walked into the room. "We just heard the news and we want to see the ring."

Carrie smiled and once again extended her left hand. As she was introducing Catherine to her brother and stepmother, the banana spilt arrived.

"Yuk," said Danny as Carrie sat down on the bed and eagerly dove in.

"She's expecting, son, which means you're going to be an uncle."

"But I'm still trying to get used to being a brother," he said with a smile.

"Jonathan called me last night, after your son left," explained Julia to Catherine. "He told us about the baby, and about Alex asking her to marry him. He's still in the shock over becoming a grandfather. Is this your first grandchild?"

"Third. And don't worry, you get used to it. Times have changed. The image of gray-haired grandparents sitting in their rocking chairs on the front porch is definitely outdated. We still love rock and roll, and we spend most of our weekends on a Harley."

"Morning, Carrie-Anne." Alex and his father entered the room. He presented her with a bouquet of long-stemmed red roses.

"Alex, you shouldn't have."

"Only the best for you, future wife and mother of my child."

He bent over to give her a kiss before setting the roses next to her bed. Carrie noticed he was wearing blue jeans and a sweater instead of his usual business suit.

"And in case you're wondering, no, I'm not going to the office today. Reggie called a little while ago and told me to take the rest of the week off. She won't be going in today either, but she said to tell you she's coming to see you later. So what exactly are you eating?"

"Breakfast," she smugly replied. "They gave me something for the morning sickness, so I'm enjoying this banana split, especially now that it's getting all gooey and runny."

"Okay," said Julia. "Now that we're all here, I'd like for you all to come next door with me. Jonathan wants to have a little family discussion about the wedding."

Carrie grabbed what was left of her banana split. As she came into her father's room, she greeted him and Penelope with a hug and a kiss on the cheek before taking her seat. He too winced at what she was eating, while Alex quickly made the introductions.

"I know it's short notice," said Jonathan, "but under the circumstances, we need to get rolling on this wedding. Have the two of you thought about a date yet?"

"Actually," replied Alex. "I was thinking of waiting until after the baby's born. Carrie's been under a tremendous amount of stress with Louise's lawsuit, and what happened yesterday certainly didn't help. I just want to get her through this pregnancy without stressing her out over a wedding."

The room suddenly went silent. Everyone looked at Alex with an incredulous stare.

"Don't look now, counselor," muttered Carrie as she began scraping the bottom of her bowl, "but I think you just failed to sway the jury."