Part 61 (1/2)
”Well yes, but-”
”Then thank you, doctor.” He rose, offering his hand. The doctor finally accepted the handshake.
”Maryanne, let's go.” He turned without pause and headed for the door.
”Can I have the little ultrasound picture, doctor? Cain? You haven't seen your son.”
He stopped, facing the door. He then turned and forced patience to his smile and voice. ”Sure, let's have a look.” She presented the black and white glossy. He saw nothing and felt nothing, which was wrong. He knew it. He was once this kid. Grew up unwanted, used as a p.a.w.n of his mother's to get what she wanted. Would Maryanne do the same? Of course she would. Men always married their mother, right?
”Be sure to take your prenatal vitamins. I'll schedule you for your follow up.” The doctor handed over the prescription. Maryanne beamed. She walked back over to Cain and slipped her arm in his. ”See right there. That's our boy's head.”
”It's a boy?” he asked the doctor.
”He doesn't know yet! But I do.” She kissed his cheek.
”Yeah, yeah, let's go.”
He took her by the hand and nearly dragged her out. He didn't stop to catch his breath until the elevator doors closed. Maryanne studied him the entire time. Cain found himself sweating as the numbers counted down.
”You have your proof,” she said.
”Let's not get into it now.”
The doors opened. He walked out briskly, with her running to keep up. ”Cain! Cain! Stop d.a.m.n it!”
He did. Just outside of the doors, on the sidewalk. He looked up and saw the white van parked. They had an audience.
”I'm pregnant. That changes everything. We're going to be a family. I want to hear you say it. Now! No more of this! Say it!” Maryanne demanded.
”You want to get into here, right here?” Cain asked.
”I want you to say that you're committed to us, to me and your child.”
Cain glared. ”I'm committed to the baby. You and me are another story. We haven't been in this marriage for a long time. Dragging a kid into it won't change that.”
She blinked at him hurt. ”What?”
”You did this on purpose. Didn't you?” He grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the doors. ”You didn't want to have my baby. Now you do because I want out of this scam of a marriage!”
”Stop it!” She s.n.a.t.c.hed her arm free. ”How could you be so f.u.c.king heartless? Of course I want this baby, and you! I chose you. I'm not perfect, but neither are you. This baby isn't a mistake, or some game. It's our love. The man you used to be would know that! I don't even know you anymore.” She turned away from him, hurt. He stood there watching her walk off. Sighing, he shook his head and went the other way.
”Maybe we should wait downstairs in the lobby,” Diane whispered, her eyes tracing the conservatively dressed lawyers that kept pa.s.sing them.
”It's okay, Mom.”
”I don't want to embarra.s.s you, Kitt.” Her mom gave a nervous chuckle.
”You won't.” Simone gave Denny his sippy cup. She then zipped up the baby bag. Diane's knee continued to shake as she ran her hands up and down the top of her thighs. Funny, but Simone was just as nervous as her mother. She worked hard to hide it.
”Ms. Wilson?”
”Yes?” Diane answered.
Simone smiled. ”I think she means me, Mama.”
”Oh?”
The pet.i.te Asian woman gave a polite nod for her to follow. ”Will you be okay with them? I just got to sign some papers and we're gone.”
Diane chewed on her nail. ”Yeah, yeah, go head.”
The twins looked up at her curiously. ”Be right back, boys.” Simone followed the woman to Sue's office. Sue was on the phone. She wore a little rectangular piece that plugged her ear. In a nicely tailored Chanel suit, she paced near her desk. Simone listened as Sue advised a client to remain calm. Her people were on the way and not to speak or say anything to the press. She remembered how Joan called Sue a fixer. It was an interesting job to behold.
”Sorry about that, Ms. Wilson.”
”Simone, call me Simone.”
Sue smiled. ”But doesn't Ms. Wilson have a nicer ring to it?”
Simone had a wider smile. ”Well, yeah, it actually does.”
”Please sit.” Sue removed her earpiece and took a seat as well. She reached through the pile of folders and pulled out the black binder that belonged to Simone. ”So, he will be served tomorrow.”
”Tomorrow?”
Sue's eyes flipped up. ”Is that a problem?”
”No, I just thought-”
”His father is a very powerful man. Within minutes of processing, he'll know. Best to make sure your husband hears it from us first. It'll send the right message. Did Mindy mention the restraining order?”
”No.”
”We want you to file one. Today.”
”Because Keith might come after me?” Simone asked.
Sue closed the folder. She laid her hands flat on top of it. ”I'm going to be frank. Everything I know of your situation screams caution. My suggestion is that we play it safe. After he is served, you don't have to endure any hara.s.sment from him and any unwanted calls or visits. I think it best that all communication is cut off immediately. That doesn't mean he won't try. His scare tactics, his family's pressure, all of that is going to hit you at once and these people will want to silence you. Let's mitigate that, shall we?”
”These people? You speak like you know the Livingstons.”
Sue's eyes sparkled. ”I know Judge Livingston, and the things that I know will make him quite aggressive at stopping you from going into court. They'll want to turn you around, and they will try hard to do it.”
”But what should I say to get this restraining order? I've never reported Keith for any domestic issues.”
”Doesn't matter.” Sue waved that off. ”If you feel that you're in danger, you say so. That's all.”