Protecting Her Read online

  “Of course. We’ve had numerous arguments, but they never go anywhere. You know how stubborn he is.”

  “So what are you going to do?”

  “That is not your concern, Pearce. I will deal with your father. We are going to be part of your life again, whether he wants to or not.”

  “I don’t want him to be part of my life if he’s not going to treat Rachel well. She’s my wife and I will not allow him to treat her poorly and put her down.”

  “I can only do so much when it comes to him. I can’t control the words that come out of his mouth. But I will do my best to make him be civil to her.” She pauses. “Speaking of your wife, what happened to her? You said there was a problem during the delivery?”

  “Yes. She, uh…” I choke up just saying it. “She lost a lot of blood and her blood pressure dropped rapidly. The doctor said she could have died.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” my mother says softly. “But she’s doing better?”

  “Yes. They gave her some blood and now they’re monitoring her.” I check my watch. “I need to call her. Would you excuse me?”

  “Of course. Go ahead.”

  I get up to go to my office to call her, but then the baby monitor goes off.

  “I’ll check on him,” my mother says.

  I nod and continue to my office. I call Rachel’s hospital room, and after several rings, she answers.

  “Rachel, did I wake you?”

  “Yes, but it’s fine. I was waiting for your call and I just dozed off.”

  “Sweetheart, if you want to talk to me, just call.”

  “I didn’t want to wake the baby. How is he?”

  “He’s good. He’s sleeping. He doesn’t seem to care for his crib though. He prefers to be held.”

  “He gets that from me. You know how much I like to be hugged.”

  I smile. “I hadn’t considered that to be a genetic trait, but it makes sense now. He is like you that way.”

  “I already miss him. I miss both of you. Are you doing okay with him? I’m worried about you there alone without any help.”

  “I have some help. I called my mother.”

  “You did?”

  “Yes. She’s here now.”

  “Pearce, what happened? What did she say?”

  “I called and told her we had a child, and before I could ask her for help, she volunteered. She was here within the hour. And she’s staying the night. She’s actually been quite helpful. She knows more about babies than I thought she did.”

  “What about your father?”

  “My mother is no longer speaking to him. Apparently, they’ve been arguing for months about his refusal to allow me back into the family. My mother claims she’s going to convince him to end this feud, and if he doesn’t, I don’t know what will happen.”

  “Do you think they’d divorce?”

  “No. She wouldn’t divorce him.”

  I can’t tell Rachel this, but the truth is my mother is not allowed to divorce my father. It’s against the rules of the organization. Only in rare cases does Dunamis allow divorces. I’m still surprised they allowed me to divorce Kristina, my first wife.

  “Well, I’m glad that she’s there for you. And spending time with her grandson. Maybe the baby will help bring us all back together as a family. It would be nice if Garret could have his grandparents in his life, or at least his grandmother.”

  It surprises me that Rachel would want my parents to be in Garret’s life. My mother and father have either ignored Rachel or treated her horribly, and yet she chooses to forgive them and welcome them back into our lives.

  “I don’t know if my father will ever come around,” I tell her, “but my mother seems committed to being part of our lives again.”

  “I’m happy to hear that, Pearce. I think it’s good.”

  “Are you okay there? Do you need anything?”

  “No. I’m fine. The nurses are taking good care of me.”

  “Maybe I should come by and see you before you go to sleep.”

  “You need to be home with the baby. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”

  “That’s not soon enough. I’m not used to being apart from you. I didn’t sleep at all last night without you here, and I’m sure I won’t sleep tonight either.”

  She laughs a little. “Our son will make sure of that. He’ll probably be up every hour or two.”

  “Yes, I suppose you’re right.”

  “Oh, I keep forgetting to ask, did you call Shelby?”

  “No. Sorry. With everything going on, I haven’t had time.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll call her. Maybe she could stop by when you’re here with the baby tomorrow.”

  “Isn’t she out of town?” I ask.

  Shelby’s mother won a trip to Las Vegas, so the two of them have been there all week.

  “She should be back now. I think she got back last night.”

  Rachel is still friends with Shelby, despite my constant reminders to Shelby that she cannot be friends with my wife. They don’t see each other as much as they used to, but they still talk on the phone.

  At least Shelby finally broke up with Logan, but she dated him for over a year before she did it. They broke up last January, but they still talk to each other. Logan isn’t giving up on her. I had lunch with him just a few weeks ago and asked him if he was dating anyone. He said he hasn’t because he can’t get over Shelby.

  Rachel keeps trying to get Shelby to date Logan again. I keep telling Rachel to stop getting in the middle of it, but she won’t. She thinks those two belong together, and I hate to admit it, but she’s right. It doesn’t make sense because Shelby and Logan are complete opposites. He’s quiet, calm, and serious, and she’s always joking around and talking and full of energy. I guess opposites really do attract sometimes.

  Shelby and Logan love each other and I wish they could be together, but they can’t, which is why Shelby finally ended things with him.

  I hate the way the organization controls these girls. The way they don’t allow them to have a life. Their contracts should be limited to just a few years, but instead, it’s as long as the organization wants it to be. There is no end date, and even when our members decide they no longer want them, the women are still tracked and threatened so they don’t tell our secrets. So they’re never really free and can never have a normal life.

  “Pearce, are you still there?”

  “Yes, I’m sorry. I’m just tired.”

  “Go get some rest. Maybe your mom could watch the baby while you take a nap, then you can take the night shift.”

  “I suppose we could try that. Are you sure you don’t need anything? Because I’ll get you whatever you need.”

  “I know you would, but I’m fine. I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you.”

  “I love you too. Goodnight.”

  I leave my office and go upstairs to the nursery. I stop before I go in because I hear my mother talking to Garret.

  “You are a very handsome little boy,” she says. “Your father was handsome too. When he was born, he had dark brown hair just like you. And blue eyes, a little darker than yours. And much like you, he did not enjoy being in his crib. He fussed and cried until I picked him up. But after a month or so, he became accustomed to the crib, and you will too. It just takes time.” I hear the baby fussing. Then I hear my mother softly singing. It sounds like a lullaby.

  Since when does my mother sing? I’ve never heard her sing. She finishes the song and the room becomes quiet.

  I make some noise like I’m just now coming down the hall. I go in the nursery and see my mother in the rocking chair, holding the baby and smiling at him.

  “How is everything going in here?” I whisper, noticing Garret’s asleep.

  She slowly gets up and gently places him in the crib. Then we both quietly leave and go back downstairs to the living room.

  “Mother, if you don’t mind, I was thinking I would take a quick nap. I’m sure I’ll be up with hi
m all night, so if you wouldn’t mind just watching him for an hour or so.”

  “I don’t mind,” she says.

  She’s staring at me like she did earlier. Did she forget what I look like after all those months of not seeing me? I don’t think I’ve changed that much.

  “Okay, well, I’ll be up in my room. Thank you again for your help.” I turn to go up the stairs.

  “Pearce.”

  “Yes?” I turn back to her.

  She comes over and puts her arms around me. “I’m sorry.”

  She’s giving me a real hug, not her normal shoulders-only hug. I hug her back. I can’t remember the last time we hugged like this, but I’m sure it was when I was a child, so it’s been a long time.

  As for her apology, I don’t ask her to elaborate. I know she’s sorry for letting this silent treatment go on for so long. I also know how hard it was for her to tell me she’s sorry, so I just keep quiet.

  She holds onto me for longer than I expected, and when she finally lets me go, she says, “Go ahead and rest. I have no need to go to bed early, so sleep as long as you like. I’ll watch the baby for you.”

  “Thank you, Mother.” I go upstairs, stopping at the nursery to check on Garret. He’s sleeping soundly. I enjoy watching him sleep. It makes me feel at peace.

  He’s so tiny, and just two days old, but he’s already had a huge impact on our lives. He’s bringing this family back together.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  4

  RACHEL

  It seems like I’ve been in this hospital forever. I’m hoping they’ll let me out tomorrow. I’m so tired, but I find it hard to sleep with the nurses coming in and out of my room throughout the night. I also can’t sleep because I miss Pearce and our home. And now that the baby isn’t here, I miss him too.

  Garret is the most adorable baby I’ve ever seen. He has the sweetest little face with his tiny nose and little pink lips and those big blue eyes. And when he’s awake, he’s so alert, always looking around, already curious about the world around him.

  He looks just like Pearce. I immediately saw the resemblance. I wonder if he’ll grow up to be just like his father. I hope he does. It would make me very proud for my son to be like his father. Strong. Kind. A gentleman.

  When Pearce held him, he couldn’t stop smiling. I knew he’d warm up to being a father when he saw the baby. He’s going to make a great dad. He’s still nervous about it, but he’ll get over that the more time he spends with Garret.

  I felt so bad watching Pearce leave yesterday. He looked scared to death when the nurse said they were sending Garret home with him. He assured me he’d be fine, but as soon as he left I started to worry. There’s so much to know about caring for an infant, and he didn’t really pay attention in the classes we went to. Luckily, his mother is helping him. She’s not my favorite person but I’m grateful she offered to help. I’m hoping it’s not a one-time thing. I hope she continues to come over. I’d like Pearce to have a relationship with his family again.

  “You have some visitors.” I hear Pearce’s voice and look over and see him at the door, holding the baby.

  “Pearce.” My heart leaps at the sight of them. I love them both so much.

  “Good morning, sweetheart.” He hands me the baby, then kisses me.

  “Good morning.” I look down at Garret. “And how’s my baby boy this morning? Did you let your daddy get some sleep?”

  Garret’s up and alert, his eyes darting around. I bring him closer and smell him and kiss him.

  “He slept on and off all night,” Pearce says. “My mother stayed up until midnight so I could sleep, then I took over after that.”

  “That was nice of her. Is she here?”

  “No. I told her to stay home and rest since she was up so late.”

  “Is she staying again tonight?”

  “Yes. She said she’d stay as long as we needed her to.” He pauses. “She apologized last night.”

  “So does that mean this is over? Are they no longer disowning you?”

  “I don’t know yet. She hasn’t talked to my father about it, but I think we’ll be seeing my mother a lot more, even if my father disapproves.”

  “I’m happy she wants to be involved in his life.” I gaze down at Garret. “He needs at least one grandparent to spoil him.” Just saying the word ‘grandparent’ makes me tear up, because it reminds me that my parents are no longer here. “I wish they could’ve met him,” I say softly to myself.

  Pearce sits next to me on the bed and puts his arm around me. “They would’ve loved him. And he would’ve loved them.”

  I nod, as more tears fall. “They would’ve been the greatest grandparents ever. My dad would’ve taken him fishing and to baseball games and played catch with him on the farm. And my mom would’ve made him more cookies than he could ever eat.” I smile through the tears. “I miss them, Pearce. I miss them so much.”

  “I know you do, sweetheart.” He hugs me tighter and kisses my head. “I miss them too.”

  I lean down to kiss the baby. “They love you even though they’re no longer here. Your grandparents. Your aunt. They’re all in heaven but they love you.”

  Pearce picks up the box of tissues from the side table and hands it to me. I take a tissue and dab my eyes as he leans back on the bed.

  “I’m sorry, Rachel,” he says, gently rubbing my arm. “What can I do? Anything?”

  “You already did.” I smile at Garret. “You gave me him.”

  It’s true. Finding out I was pregnant was the greatest gift I’ve ever been given, and it came at the time I needed it the most. I was devastated when my parents died. I was consumed with grief. Those first few weeks after the accident were horrible. But Pearce was there for me through it all. Listening to me. Holding me. Sitting quietly with me. He was wonderful. The best husband I could ever ask for. And the best friend. My love for him grew exponentially during that time, and it continued to grow as he took care of me throughout my difficult pregnancy. And now, seeing him care for our son, I love him even more.

  “Pearce.”

  “Yes?”

  “I hope you know how much I love you. I know I tell you that every day, but I hope you know that I love you more than I can even say.”

  He cups my cheek and kisses me, then looks into my eyes. “I love you too. With all my heart.” He pulls me into his side and we look at our baby.

  Someone taps on the door.

  “Come in,” Pearce says, getting up off the bed.

  Logan walks in. “Hello, Pearce. Rachel. Sorry to interrupt.”

  “Logan.” Pearce goes up to him. “I didn’t know you were coming. I’ve been so busy I didn’t have a chance to call you about the baby. How’d you find out?”

  “A friend I went to med school with works here and told me he saw you here yesterday. I assumed that meant Rachel had the baby.” He smiles at me. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you.”

  He holds his hand out to Pearce. “Congratulations, Pearce.”

  They shake hands. “Thank you.”

  I check the time. Shelby’s going to be here any minute. That’s probably not good. She broke up with Logan months ago, but she’s still not over him. She broke up with him because he wanted to get more serious and she didn’t. He was ready to propose so she ended their relationship before he could. But she still talks to him and she won’t date anyone else, so I keep wondering if they’ll get back together. She’s miserable without him.

  Logan has left her alone but he isn’t giving up on her. He told Pearce that Shelby just needs more time. Pearce has become good friends with Logan the past year, now that he lives closer to us. They go golfing or meet for lunch. I keep telling Pearce to tell Logan that Shelby is still interested in him, but Pearce won’t do it. He says he’s not getting involved, which is frustrating because Shelby and Logan clearly belong together.

  Logan comes over to me. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m a little tire
d. There were some complications during the delivery so they’re making me stay here a few days. Hey, since you’re a doctor, maybe you could pull some strings and get me out of here faster. I really want to go home.”

  He laughs. “Sorry, but it doesn’t work that way. You’re stuck here until they decide you’re ready to leave.” He takes a peek at the baby. “He’s adorable. What’s his name?”

  “Garret.”

  “He looks just like you, Pearce.”

  Pearce stands next to Logan. “That’s what everyone says.”

  “So did they send him home already?” Logan asks.

  “Yes,” Pearce answers. “I felt sorry for him, being sent home with his father, who can barely change a diaper.”

  “Pearce,” I say, smiling. “You did fine.”

  “I’d love to see you change a diaper,” Logan says kiddingly to Pearce.

  He laughs. “Yes, I’m sure you would. Someday you’ll be doing it yourself and you’ll see it’s not as easy as it looks.”

  The door opens and I see long legs topped with a bunch of giant helium balloons. “Congratulations!”

  It’s Shelby, but I can’t see her through the balloons. She hurries in, then stops abruptly when she sees Logan. She stares at him, the balloons still in her hand, now held off to the side. The look on her face is one I’ve seen before, on her, and other girls I’ve known. It’s that look that says you love the guy and want to be with him but aren’t sure that you should. It’s also the look that says you’re hot for him and want to be alone with him as soon as possible.

  Logan does look very handsome today in a suit and tie, his dark hair slicked back. Shelby’s in a white sundress that’s short and shows off her legs. She has a golden brown tan from hanging out at the pool in Las Vegas all week.

  “Hello, Shelby,” Logan says.

  “Hi. I didn’t know you’d be here.”

  “I heard Rachel had the baby and I wanted to stop by.”

  “Yeah. Me, too.” She’s breathless. She definitely wants him.

  “I’ll take these,” Pearce says, taking the balloons from her. He ties them on the chair next to the bed.

  “His name is Garret,” Logan says to Shelby.