Contractual Obligation: The Trilogy (12 page)

Natalie jumped into his arms, “I’m not going anywhere. And by the way, you’re going to be a father.”

The look on his face wasn’t what she expected. Pulling back, Michael looked at his future bride. “A baby?”

She nodded, not sure what to say. She couldn’t read him. Natalie’s breathing grew shallow. “Say something. Anything.”

“A baby?” His face went slack. The news was more than he wanted to hear. He came over to set her free from the contract, to give her what she wanted all along, but somehow things got turned around. “How long have you known?” He almost didn’t want to know.

“A couple of days,” she looked down, not wanting to make eye contact. This wasn’t what she pictured. He should have been happy. They were in love, about to be married.

“I’m not sure I’m ready to be a father.”

“What are you saying?”

“I just need time to process the news.” His hands went up through his hair and his nostrils flared in frustration. “I need to go.” Michael turned to walk away.

Natalie was stunned, watching him put distance between them. “Wait! Please, don’t leave like this.” Hot tears were forming at the corner of her eyes. She tried to hold them back, but her stupid hormones weren’t making it easy.

“I’m not ready.” Michael shook his head, still taking in the shocking news.

“Right, you said.” Disappointment washed through Natalie’s veins.

Michael hesitated and looked at the
desperate girl in the hallway. Leaving wasn’t the answer, as much as he wanted to escape. Turning, he went back inside, sitting at the edge of her bed.

“Everything is happening too fast.” He dropped his head in his hands, overwhelmed with the news.

“I’m having the baby,” she cautioned, settling in beside him. “I can’t…” She trailed off.

“I wouldn’t ask you to do anything else.” He realized how he must have sounded. Placing his hand on her thigh, he apologized. “We’ll be fine. I’m sorry. It’s a lot to take in after everything we’ve been through. And what if I’m a lousy father like my own father turned out to be?”

Natalie had no words. She wanted to soothe him, but she was licking her own wounds. Her silence spoke volumes.

“Again, I’m sorry.” Looking into her honey-brown eyes, his sincerity showed. “I’ll be good with the news once I digest it.”

She nodded. It was only fair. She’d had a few days to accept the change, and truth be told, it threw her for a loop as well.

“So, we’re having a baby,” his tongue clucked while trying to absorb how big this was. The realization that his money was running out didn’t help matters. With Bowman Industries crashing, he couldn’t rely on that. His investments were barely keeping him afloat, and soon he’d have a family to support. Crushed under the responsibility, Michael knew he’d have to claw his way back to the top.

“Is it hot in here?” His hand slicked across a dampened forehead, perspiration beads forming. “Maybe we could go for a walk, talk about it some more.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, fine. Just a little hot.” Tugging at his collar, he unbuttoned the top button. “A baby,” he mumbled.

“Oh boy,” Natalie blew a puff of air between her lips, aghast at how this turned out. Seriously, she had no idea he’d act this way. How could she? He always seemed in control-- calm and capable. This was so out of character – though after everything he’d been through with his father’s deceit, their business crumbling, his assets frozen, it was just one more thing that pushed his buttons.

Flipping on a small desk fan, she pointed it toward him. “I’m not even sure what to say anymore.” Natalie was disgusted with the situation.

“Baby, I’m so sorry.” Turning, he took her hands in his own. “I’ll be fine, we’ll be fine. I think it just caught me off guard.”

“You think,” she mocked sarcastically.

“I just wish I was more financially stable. I used to have money, a good job, and now I have nothing. How will I support a wife and child? I need to get off my ass and get my new business started. I’ll figure out something.” His mind was ticking, and he was almost talking to himself more than he was to Natalie. Pulling puzzle pieces from thin air, he was trying to form a picture of his future, and he’d be damn sure he’d be able to take care of his family, no matter what it took.

“There’s time. It will all work out.” Truthfully, Natalie was concerned too. Her own modeling gigs had dried up, and nobody would want her now that her body was going to be stretched out of shape. Victoria, her previous agent, dumped her when she turned down the big watch contract to stay in the states with Michael. While working for a prestigious luxury line like Fusendyner Retro was exciting, it meant she’d have to live in Europe for a full year, and that wasn’t realistic when the job was offered. Now there was nothing. No work, no money, and they’d have more bills than they could afford.

“We need to get you to a doctor, get you prenatal vitamins, testing, whatever it is they do. Do you know someone, have a doctor, or should we start doing research?”

“I’m guessing my gynecologist is an O.B. too. I’ll look into it.” The enormity of what was about to happen in their lives was slowly hitting her all over again. Talking about it, saying it out loud – she couldn’t deny it any longer. There was no way she could tell her parents. Crap, her parents were going to come out for the wedding. If they learned she was pregnant too, she’d never hear the end of it.

Michael looked at Natalie. “I should have been…I don’t know, nicer, happier. I’m sorry I didn’t take the news well.”

“Maybe we should put off the wedding.”

“Are you kidding me? If anything, we should move it up. We’re going to have a child.”

“Are you upset, truthfully?”

“We didn’t plan it, but when it comes down to it, I love you. I think my biggest concern is security. I wish I had more. I feel like a loser. If this had happened while I was still sitting on top of the mountain, making more money…” he trailed off.

“I love you, with or without your money.”

“It would be so much easier.”

“We’ll figure it out.”

“I haven’t even asked you how you feel. Are you okay? Have you been sick?”

“I’m fine, other than my breasts being a little tender from the hormones. I’ve been fortunate so far, no morning sickness.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Once again he drifted within himself, the reality of his future staring him in the face. “I’m going to be a father,” he said, shaking his head.

“And a good one,” she said, trying to assure him he didn’t have to be like his own dad. He wouldn’t lie, cheat, or steal. He’d be a good man, a great role model, and a loving father. Maybe she was deluding herself, but that’s all she could picture right now.

“Natalie…” He watched her face as he leaned in closer, his lips brushing hers. “I love you, and our baby.”

Natalie grimaced, forcing a smile. “We love you, too.” She knew he was trying too hard. She could read the stress in his shoulders, his jaw was tight, and his eyes were dull. It was a lot to take in. She hoped after he had time to think about things, absorb the news, he’d handle it better. She couldn’t do this alone.

It hadn’t gone as she planned. When he finally left, Natalie exhaled deeply and dropped back onto her bed. This wasn’t what she wanted to remember – the fear and panic shadowing his face as she told him she was pregnant. She pictured it being joyful, but let’s face it, the moment would forever be remembered as one loaded with anxiety. They were about to get married; it’s not like they weren’t planning a life together. And jobs, they could find other jobs. They’d work it all out. Natalie stroked her forearm mindlessly and sighed. This wasn’t what she wanted.

Michael called later in the evening. “We should get married.” He was two steps ahead of her, and forgot to add more details.

“I thought we were getting married,” she laughed.

“No, sooner. Like now. We could fly out to Vegas. Of course, your folks wouldn’t be there.”

That was a bonus in her eyes. She wasn’t ready to deal with her parent’s judgments now that she was pregnant and marrying a man faster than they thought she should. “Vegas?”

“We could fly out, that’s if you’re allowed to fly. We’ll check with a doctor, and heck, if not Vegas, we’ll see the Justice of the Peace. Seriously, we need to get married. We’re going to be parents.”

“It’s usually the last trimester that can be an issue for flying. I should be fine early on, but I’ll check with a doctor.”

“We could leave as early as next week if you get the okay.”

“Next week?”

“I’m not going to run away, Natalie. I’ll take care of you.”

“Next week.”

“I’ll book the tickets once you talk to your doctor.”

“I guess I’m going to Vegas and getting married. I’ll tell my parents after the wedding so they don’t pressure me to wait.”

“Good idea.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

“Okay.” She paused. “Michael, I love you.”

“I love you too, sweetie.”

Natalie felt better. He wanted to be here. He’d taken in the facts and made a choice. They could do this. They could make it work.

The morning of their flight, she was ready to go. Her nerves had kicked in, but thankfully her morning sickness hadn’t. Boarding the plane, she settled into her seat beside her future husband. This was real. Michael took her hand, squeezing it softly for reassurance as the plane took off.

“Oh no! Oh no! Not now.” Natalie dug through the pocket of the seat in front of her and couldn’t find what she was looking for. “Excuse me!” Flinging her seatbelt off, she hobbled down the aisle, praying nobody was using the small bathroom.

Relief washed over her as she closed the door behind her. “Now?” She moaned to her unborn child. Finding her way back to her seat, Natalie looked washed out and tired.

“Are you okay?”

“You did this to me,” she sniped.

“I love you too.”

Natalie settled back into her seat. This was going to be a long flight.

It wasn’t
a fancy wedding, but there were pictures, rings, and an Elvis impersonator singing “Love Me Tender” in a small white chapel just off the strip. Vegas was busy with the hustle and bustle of a crazy nightlife, and then quiet during the day. Only the hotel pools were smothered with wall to wall people, while everyone else was still asleep or hung over from the nightlife, getting ready to do it again.

Unable to drink, Natalie took in the scene. It was like wildlife at a zoo, watching the meat market come to life. People were underdressed, tacky, bold, and flashy. It wasn’t a place for her.
New York had its own kind of busy craziness, but that made more sense to her.

Flying home, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Davidson sat holding hands. It was a done deal. They were married, but there was no euphoria, just something that had to be done. Natalie felt empty, and mindlessly rubbed her belly. It was for a good cause.

They settled into her place, selling off what he could from his own. They’d find something bigger than hers, but less expensive than his. Space was a commodity in
New York and nothing came cheap. Location was key, and money spoke loudly. Money was the one thing they were running short on. With little left to fall back on, Michael cashed out more of his available stock. The money tied into Bowman Industries was worthless, and that’s where he invested most of his earnings.

Natalie, once a model and married to a millionaire (who was now broke), took a job cashiering at a local diner a few blocks from her apartment.

When they finally found a compromise on space and location, they scraped together what they could, and realized how crappy the move would be from a fifth floor walk-up with little help from movers or friends. Michael didn’t want his pregnant wife to do any heavy lifting, so he did the bulk of it, hiring a few college guys to help with the bigger pieces.

It wasn’t the swankiest neighborhood, but they still didn’t need to put bars on their windows. They were one step away from the scarier neighborhoods that made you look over your shoulder when you’re walking at night, with shady characters lurking in alleyways.

Michael was embarrassed by how far they’d fallen, but he couldn’t afford nicer places in nicer neighborhoods. If they moved out of the city they’d get more for their money, but he lived and breathed the city, and he’d start another company here.

The more he tossed it around, the more he knew what he had to do. Do what you know – and what he knew was insulators, machinery parts, and he had plenty of contacts. If he stayed in the industry and started over, he’d do things the right way. He’d make a name for himself, just as his father had; only he’d keep things on the up and up. He’d go above and beyond to prove he was trustworthy, and people knew he knew the business end of things.

It would take investors and loans, but he could get backing. He needed a business plan, and he’d talk to the bank sooner than later. He had one particular investor in mind, somebody that had always been involved with Bowman Industries in the past. He wouldn’t be Bowman Industries any longer, he didn’t want to associate with the name, but he could still work in the same area, knowing the ins and outs as he did. Michael felt the weight coming off his chest. This could work, this was what he knew. He was raised on this stuff. He’d figure it out. He’d call Marcus Grant first thing in the morning. He was always open for discussion when it came to investing.

“I don’t feel so good,” Natalie moaned, jumping up from the sofa. Running for the bathroom, she just made it. It came in waves. Some days she was fine, others nausea took ove
r, and crackers and ginger ale were about all she could keep down. She thought she’d lucked out, when she didn’t get sick early on. She thought she’d won; but when the morning sickness hit, it hit hard.

“Michael,” she called out. “Grab me a hair band.”

Joining his wife in the bathroom, he pulled her hair back into a pony tail, and leaned down to rub her back tenderly. “Are you going to be okay?”

“In a few minutes,” she groaned.

“I’ll have a stern talking to our little bean when they get here and let them know what they put you through.”

“Don’t mention beans,” she said while gripping the toilet bowl.

Leaving the bathroom, he waited for her to finish. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, and then went to drop back on the sofa.

“You rest. I’m going to work on a business plan.”

She was asleep within minutes, only to be woken by another quick run to the bathroom. Thankfully, it was the last wave for a while and she was able to nap.

When the morning came, Michael already practiced what he was going to say. He barely slept through the night as he went over his speech. Marcus Grant was a wealthy man with the means to help him get started, but he wasn’t an easy sell. He liked a good risk, and this was riskier than he was used to. It could be highly lucrative and that would draw him in, but with the bad publicity Michael’s father and previous company had, he might be cold to the thought of getting into business with a Davidson again.

Michael was his own man, and he hoped Marcus would see that. This wasn’t his father’s company. This was him starting over. MD Insulators, not Bowman Industries. He had a wealth of knowledge, he had answers, and he had the ability to get it off the ground with the right amount of money. Once he had Marcus on board, he’d know how much more he’d need from a business loan. That would be trickier – they’d see him as a risk, but he was a smooth talker and a stellar salesman. If anybody could convince them, he could.

“MD Insulators,” he said, pacing in front of Natalie. “What do you think? I finally decided to keep my name out of it and just use my initials. I don’t want people tying my father and me together, with the Davidson name.”

“It works,” she said, her eyes still sleepy. “I have to go in for a few hours for day shift. Will you be home for dinner?”

“I should. I guess it depends on how the meeting goes with Marcus. If things go smoothly, I’m going to approach the bank. I know a loan officer, an old contact. I’m going to feel him out, see if he thinks the idea of me getting a business loan is viable. I’m not my father, but they may consider me a risk.”

“Good luck.” She honestly didn’t know what to expect. It felt like a shot in the dark, but he was so sure he could make it work. It was scary to watch him get wrapped around the idea. While she wanted to be enthusiastic, it would take a lot of time before they’d be earning money back. What he needed was a job, insurance, security, an income – what he had was a dream to chase. He wanted what he used to have – power, wealth, and to be in charge. He scoffed at the idea of working for somebody else; yet with barely any money coming in between the two of them, that scared Natalie more than anything.

He looked lifeless when he got back home. His earlier adrenaline rush was gone. His enthusiasm had died, and when reality shoved him on the ground, it was hard to stand back up. The good news was Marcus Grant was willing to be a part of his rebuild, but not with the amount of cash Michael had hoped for. He was a risk – something he heard once again from the loan officer at the bank. He could apply, but it was doubtful he’d get the backing he needed. With the wind out of his sails, Michael dug within himself, not wanting to talk about what happened. He felt like a first class loser. No job, no way to build the company like he wanted, and not enough money to pay the bills that would be coming in soon. With a baby on the way, something would have to give.

“Didn’t go well?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“You could always get something temporarily until you get off the ground.”

“I don’t want to work for other people, Natalie. I’m an entrepreneur. I deserve my own business. I know how to do these things.” There was arrogance in his voice. He’d had it easy for so long. He didn’t know any other way.

Biting her lower lip, she left the room. She didn’t need to deal with this nonsense. His moods seemed worse than hers. She had a god damn reason – her hormones were taking her for a ride, but now she had to deal with his crap. She wished he’d get a grip on reality, and soon. They had a baby coming into their lives, and they didn’t have time for him to start a new business. He needed a job with benefits. He needed to find job security, not risk their lives on some reckless gamble while trying to rebuild his past life.

Michael squeezed his eyes shut tightly, wishing things would fix themselves. He had two choices. He could push for more capital from Marcus Grant, or push for a bank loan. He had a better chance of getting through to Marcus. He had one last ace up his sleeve, an old friend that might be interested. There was just one problem. He’d slept with her a few times, and he was pretty sure if Natalie knew that piece of the puzzle, she’d flip out. Kat wasn’t an option, though her pockets ran deep, and with enough coaxing he might get her to say yes. No. He was a married man. That was a dangerous proposition. He’d stick with Marcus and the bank. He didn’t need to add more pressure to his wife’s pregnancy. It was out of desperation that he had a brilliant idea. What if Marcus signed on as not only an investor, but as a partner? The bank would be more apt to approve the loan with his name attached to the plan. He wasn’t sure he was looking for a partner, but there might be no other way.

Marcus was an investor, but he could also be a silent partner. He wouldn’t want any part of actually running the company, Michael was sure of it; but there’d be even greater pressure on his producing a profit sooner. Feeling revived the slightest bit, he called Marcus back. Pacing across the floor, he spent a good forty minutes convincing the man to give him a chance and be his silent partner. Just when Michael thought the fight was over, Marcus agreed on one condition. He got to sign off on everything, just as Michael did, and when push came to shove, Marcus would overrule.

Giving up that tiny bit of control, that sliver of power, crushed him. But without Marcus there was no company. Michael agreed, and MD Insulators found new life breathing into it again.

The bank approved the business loan with the co-signing of partner Marcus Grant. He had more than enough money to pay it back, business and investment knowledge, and a track record that screamed good risk. Michael, on the other hand, was the wild card.

Relief washed through Natalie as the details were settled. With the money coming through, things wouldn’t be quite as tight. They’d have living expenses, and wouldn’t be swallowed up by the tiniest bill. With Natalie coming into her third month of pregnancy, the worst of the morning sickness was subsiding. She started to believe maybe everything would work out after all; only things were never that easy.