The Ten Year Affair (14 page)

Thomas could hear the panic in Alex’s voice as she spoke between sobs.

“Is something wrong dear?”

“My baby Thomas. There’s something wrong with my baby. I need Grandmother.
Please find Grandmother!”

“Alexandra where are you? Baby? What baby?”

“My baby Thomas. I’m bleeding… I need help. Please Thomas...”

Then she was gone.

“Alexandra! Alexandra!” Thomas cried but he got no answer. The caller ID
indicated she had called from her apartment. Thomas quickly called 911 to have
an ambulance sent and was still making the call when Alex’s grandfather Chester
Fairchild came into the room.

“Blasted Thomas! What’s all the yelling about?”

“It’s Alexandra Mr. Fairchild. She just phoned for Mrs. Fairchild and was
crying and talking about her baby. She said she was bleeding and that there was
something wrong with her baby and then it was as though she passed out in the
middle of a sentence. I called 911 to have an ambulance sent to her apartment
but I’m confused sir. Is Ms. Morgan expecting a child? She said she was
pregnant.”

Chester was just as bewildered as Thomas.

“Thomas, I’m just as in the dark about this as you. But I’m going to find
out!”

Chester quickly grabbed his keys and made for the door.

“Thomas track down Mrs. Fairchild and tell her to meet me at St. Mary’s
Hospital. I’m on my way to Alex’s apartment to meet the ambulance.”

***

On her way to the hospital Julia Fairchild fretted over what she might
find when she arrived. What was all this nonsense about? Alex was pregnant? She
had had her suspicions when she had seen Alex and Ian Foster at Babies ‘R Us
but she had accepted their explanation for why they were there. Alex would have
told her wouldn’t she? Maybe not. Maybe she was afraid to tell Julia because
she knew how much Julia disliked Ian. That poor girl. She had been dealing with
this alone because she had not felt she could tell her grandmother without being
criticized. She hadn’t felt Julia would be supportive of her. How did Alex not
know that no matter what happened in her life, Julia would always love and
support her? When this crisis had passed she had to make sure Alex understood
that. She would quit being the judgmental old fool she was now so that her
grandchild knew she could count on her.

When Julia reached the hospital she was informed that Alex had been taken
from emergency to the fourth floor. When she stepped off the elevator she saw
Chester engrossed in a serious conversation with a tall, slender, middle-aged
woman with short velvet black hair at the end of the hall.

“Chester? Chester?” She ran to his side. “How’s Alexandra? Is she okay?
Is the baby okay?”

“She’s fine darling, she’s just fine and the baby’s fine too. Julia this
is Dr. Robinson Julia’s doctor. Doctor, this is my wife Julia. Dr. Robinson was
just telling me that what Alexandra has just experienced is normal for first
time pregnancies and both mother and baby are fine for now. But she’s concerned
about some other things. Go on doctor. What were you saying?”

“Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild this has been very traumatic for Alex which has
added to the problem which already existed. Alex has been battling high blood
pressure with this pregnancy and I’m very concerned. I know that she has a very
heavy caseload and I’ve been trying to get her to cut back. I know that she has
a vacation scheduled in a few weeks but I’m not so sure that will be soon
enough. Coupled with the bleeding she’s experienced today I very much recommend
that she take a leave of absence from her job. While I don’t believe she needs
to be under complete bed rest I feel she should spend as little time on her
feet as possible and away from all sources of great stress. I just don’t see
how she will make it through this pregnancy if she continues in her job as she
is now. Do you have any influence over her? Is there any way you can talk to
her and get her to slow down?”

Chester smiled and looked to Julia knowing that his dear wife would be
able to handle this one and she didn’t disappoint him.

“Dr. Robinson, if less stress and more bed rest is what Alexandra needs
you can be sure that is what she’ll get. If I know Alex she loves this child
too much to take any further risks. She’s been scared by what’s happened today.
I really don’t think it will take much to get her to agree to slow down now.
Can we see her doctor?”

“Sure. Stay as long as you like as long as you don’t say anything to
upset her. I’m going to keep her overnight for observation in hopes that her
blood pressure will go down but I’m sure she’ll be just fine and able to go
home in the morning. She’s worried right now about work. She said she has a
trial starting at 10:00 this morning?”

“I’ve already called Peter dear,” Chester said to Julia. “He said Don
could cover for Alex this morning.”

As he spoke they saw Peter frantically making his way down the hall
towards them.

“Chester, Julia is she okay? The baby?”

Julia held her arms out to Peter as he approached and hugged him hard.

“Relax Peter. They’re both fine. The doctor says that our Alexandra is
just a little shook-up because she was very, very scared.”

Julia broke the hug and spoke somewhat harshly to Peter.

“I’m glad you’re here Peter. We need to talk to you about our granddaughter’s
work schedule.”

Dr. Robinson said her good-byes and told the Fairchilds she would keep
them informed should Alex’s condition change.

Peter was going out of his mind.

“What’s going on with Alex? Please tell me what’s going on!”

Chester took Peter by the arm and steered him to a seat and sat beside
him.

“Peter calm down. Alex is fine. I assume you knew she was pregnant?”

Peter ran his hand through his hair and sighed.

“Yes, she told me just yesterday.” Peter noticed Chester stiffen and
stopped Julia before she had the chance to ask.

“And no I’m not the baby’s father though I wish to God I was.”

Chester let out the breath he’d been holding and continued to explain to
Peter what was wrong with Alex. He dearly admired and respected Peter but he
was very relieved Peter wasn’t the baby’s father. He’d always imagined
Alexandra and Ian would come to their senses and be married. It was obvious to Chester that they both loved each other dearly.

“Alex woke up this morning with cramps and some bleeding but the doctor
says they’ll both be fine. It was nothing serious but the doctor is still
concerned. She said Alexandra needs to eliminate all the stress from her life
and get more rest. If she doesn’t, she may not carry this baby to term.”

“Which means,” Julia added, “That Alex will not be able to continue to
carry the crazy work load she has. In fact, she shouldn’t be working at all
until after the baby is born. You need to make other arrangements Peter. I will
not let Alexandra’s work endanger this baby or herself.”

Peter nodded in agreement.

“Of course, of course. Julia, Chester I think you both know how much I
love Alex. I’ll do anything to make sure that she and the baby are safe. She
doesn’t have to worry about the firm. We’ll make do without her. It’ll be hard
but we can do it. Can I see her?”

“Of course you can dear but her grandfather and I would like a moment
with her first.”

Chester and Julia walked down the hall and gently knocked on Alex’s door.
Chester opened the door just a smidgen and peeked around it.

“Alexandra dear? May we come in?”

Alex turned around in bed to face the door and held out her arms and
smiled.

“Please. Please come in Grandpa.”

Chester rushed to the bed and took Alex in his arms. For the first time
since Alex’s birth Chester felt tears well up in his eyes. He loved this little
girl and wished so much that his own daughter Claire could be there for her
daughter now instead of halfway around the world.

“I was so scared Grandpa. So scared,” Alex sobbed.

Chester kissed the top of her head and softly stroked her silky hair.

“I know child, I know. But everything’s fine now and you don’t need to
worry. Your grandmother and I are here and Peter’s outside as well. We’re all
here for you dear.”

Julia watched as her husband of forty-nine years comforted Alex. What a
treasure she had found in Chester Fairchild. She only hoped that her
granddaughter would find a man to love and care for her as she had, as her
daughter Claire had. Alexandra was a beautiful, caring person who was truly
deserving of some happiness. She had found little happiness since she had
fallen in love with Ian Foster and now she was pregnant with his child. She
would always be tied to Foster in some way now.

Julia held back from going to Alex. She was ashamed that Alex had needed to
confide in her about the pregnancy but had not. Julia was sure Alexandra had
kept the news a secret because she was afraid of her grandmother’s reaction to
the news.

Alex now noticed Julia standing just inside the door.

“Grandmother I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you about the baby. I
know you must be very disappointed in me.”

Julia rushed to Alex’s side and took Chester’s place in her arms. The
tears flowed freely from both women now. She held Alex tight for quite some
time before she took Alex’s face in her hands.

“Dear child. You must know that I have never in my life been disappointed
in you. I’m disappointed in myself right now. Disappointed that I wasn’t there
for you when you needed me. I know you were afraid to tell me because I’ve been
such an opinionated old fool. I’m the one who’s sorry Alexandra.”

Julia grabbed a tissue and dried Alex’s tears. Julia settled on the edge
of the bed next to Alex, put an arm around Alex’s shoulders and held her close.

“Tell me all about it now honey.”

Chester felt that was his cue to sneak out so the ladies could have their
long overdue talk. He also needed to make a call.

Ian knew as soon as he saw Don walked through the courtroom door that
something was wrong. Where was Alex? Something wasn’t right. Alex was never
late and would never miss a trial unless she was sick or there was something
terribly wrong. Ian approached the defense table to see what was up.

“Good morning Don. Where’s Alex this morning?”

Don cleared his throat, shifted his eyes downward. Ian could tell he was
very uncomfortable.

Don was no fool. He’d heard all the talk about Alex’s relationship with
Ian. He knew enough about Alex to know that if she was pregnant, Ian Foster was
the father but he didn’t want to be the one to break the news about her current
problems to Foster. Unfortunately, it looked like the duty was falling on his
shoulders. Ian had a right to know, didn’t he?

Just as Don was about to answer Tom came hurrying through the door
towards them.

“Ian you just got a phone call from Chester Fairchild. He says it’s
urgent. Something about Alex. You need to call him immediately at this number.”

Ian looked at Don for an explanation.

“I don’t know all the details Ian. All I know is she’s in the hospital.”

 Ian rushed from the courtroom and ran outside to place his call. There
was something wrong with the baby. Why else would Chester call him? His hands
shook as he dialed his cell phone.

“Hello, Chester? This is Ian Foster. What's wrong with Alex?” His voice
trembled and it did not go unnoticed by Chester.

“She’s in St. Mary’s Hospital Ian. She had some cramping and some
bleeding this morning but she and the baby are doing well. Her doctor wants her
to stay overnight just to be on the safe side. I thought you should know.”

“Thank you for calling me Chester. Does she want to see me?”

“She didn’t really say Ian. As a matter of fact she doesn’t know I’ve
made this call. Like I said. I just thought you should know.”

“Chester would you please tell her I’ll be there as soon as I can get
away from this trial? She may not want to see me but I have to see her Chester. I just have to.”

“I’ll warn you Ian. The doctor is very worried about Alex’s blood
pressure. She said that we need to remove as much stress from Alex’s life as we
can. I didn’t phone you so you could show up here and upset Alexandra. If your
presence will upset her I’d rather you stay away.”

“Chester, Alex is pretty upset with me right now but I truly believe she
wants me there now. Despite our differences. I won’t do or say anything to
upset her. You can trust me.”

“I’ve trusted you more than I should have over the years Ian. I trusted
you to finally come to your senses and make my little girl happy and all you’ve
done is make her life miserable. I’m very disappointed in you Ian. Very
disappointed. Alex is about to make you a father so I hope that you learn to
treat her with the respect she deserves.”

“You can’t make me feel any worse than I already do Chester. I’ve been an
ass and I know that. I’ll be there in a bit. Would you please smooth the way
with Julia. I’m afraid she might not want me to see Alex.”

“You’re asking a lot from me Ian. An awful lot. I’ll tell her to expect
you but I won’t stop her from speaking her mind to you.”

“That’s good enough. Thanks Chester.”

Ian returned to the courtroom just as the judge was entering for the
start of the trial. Ian whispered to Tom what was going on with Alex and Tom
was confident he could fill-in for Ian without a hitch. They’d been working
closely together on the case so Tom knew the case as well as Ian.

Ian flew to the hospital. What if he got there and things had changed?
What if she had lost their baby? What would he say? He had to quit thinking
like that. Alex and the baby were going to be fine but he just had to see her
to believe it.

When Ian arrived on Alex’s floor he saw Peter and Chester sitting in the
waiting area. Peter. He should have expected to find Peter there. As he
approached them Peter stood up and Ian saw Chester place a hand across Peter’s
chest to restrain him from going after Ian. He didn’t have time to deal with
Peter’s histrionics now.