Just A Woman (The Porter Trilogy Book 2) (25 page)

We sat for a few moments, all of us digesting the news, Lizzie especially, before a large grin formed on her face.

“My baby is going to have a baby of her own?” Lizzie whispered, tears already forming in her eyes. “I’m going to be a Grandma?”

Looking up in surprise at the joy that poured from her mother’s features, Charlotte lost control all over again and began crying herself. Releasing my hand, Charlotte stood up and made her way to her mother, wrapping her arms around her in a gentle hug, so as not to disturb her injuries.

“I’m so sorry momma, your attack was my fault, I’m so sorry, and now daddy’s dead, I’m so sorry,” she hysterically mumbled over and over again while her mom held her to her chest, as mothers do.

The tears were enough to break me. I wasn’t accustomed to so many emotions around me, and I was slightly uncomfortable, but the delirious fury within me stirred as I sat here witnessing two beautiful women crying over the actions of one pathetic jackass. It was time to take action. When we returned to Southern California, I would fix this, not only for Charlotte, but for the miracle that we had created. The world would be much better without scum like that walking the streets. I was done fucking around. It was time to take action to protect my family. 

Daydreamer Musings
August 19, 2015
Followers-1152

I don’t think I’ll ever get over the fact that, every time I go into my blog app, there are more and more people following along with my life. The shock will never wear off. You guys are simply amazing, and I promise, when I have more of an opportunity, I will respond to all of your questions and inquiries. Things have just been a bit on the crazy side. Let me explain.

Last time I checked in, I told you about my pregnancy and the fact the I had just told Alex. I, apparently, had been in the bathroom updating you all longer than I thought because, as soon as I came out of the bathroom, I ran right into Alex. He had been worried about how long I had been gone. (Isn’t that sweet?)

We went back to the table and talked a bit. I told him I loved him and he, literally, not joking, was surprised. Yes, it might have been the first time I told him since we got back together, but did he think, after everything, I wouldn’t love him anymore? Maybe it’s just a man thing? I don’t know, but I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to tell him.

The hard part of the last twenty four hours was talking to my mom. She now has the link to this blog, so I’m sure she will go back through and read some of them, and Mom, if you are reading this, please don’t be too harsh on Alex, he knows he messed up and we’re moving on.

Telling her about everything that had happened since my New York trip was mentally draining. No one should ever have to tell their parents that they were kidnapped, and ransomed. And then I had to tell her the death of my father and her mugging wasn’t a coincidence, and all my fault. It broke her heart.

But the news of the baby, I think, helped a little. My mom never thought she was going to be a grandma, since I was told I couldn’t have children, so learning I was pregnant was kind of a shock to her. Hell, it was a shock to all of us. But she seems happy. I know she’s worried about my safety with everything going on, and after chatting with my mom, I know that Alex is also just as worried, actually, he looked pissed.

I hated having to leave my mom by herself. Terrible thoughts have been running through my head ever since we got on the plane. The man responsible for all of this damage obviously knows what state my mom lives in, and I’m guessing if he doesn’t already know where she lives, he will know soon. But, she guaranteed me that she had a wonderful neighbor next door who is a body builder. She promised she would call him if anything happened and the guy agreed. He was super nice and I’m pretty sure I saw him wink at her when we asked him to protect her.

Hopefully, this will all be over soon. I can’t live like this anymore. I need to be free to live my life and have my baby live in peace. I need to let go of all of this guilt I’m carrying. I know that I didn’t personally tamper with my dad’s brakes, and I know I didn’t pay anyone to attack my mom, but I feel like this is all my fault. If I had never gotten involved with him, if I had never gone to that party, if I had never pressed charges, would things have been different? I can’t help but feel this is truly all of my fault.

I think maybe Karma is getting back at me. Giving me a man who loves me and whom I love, giving me this little blessing, and then ripping everything else away from me. First my dad, and then, almost, my mom. God, what would have happened if my mom had died? No, I can’t think like that. My mom is alive and doing better.

I’ve got to move off of this subject, as I’m sure my doctor is having a field day with these thoughts. I’ve got to keep my eye on the prize. Alex and the baby. That’s where my focus needs to be.

Oh, and I do want to tell you guys something cute that happened. Right before we got on the plane to go home, Alex stopped me. He was so worried and had no idea whether I was allowed on the plane. He pulled out his phone and made a bunch of calls until he got the name of the best OBGYN in Los Angeles. He set up an appointment and asked a plethora of times whether or not I was ok to fly. After he was convinced that this early in my pregnancy, it was perfectly fine to fly, he ushered me up to the plane and deposited me on the couch, which is where I’m sitting now.

Our appointment this week is going to be interesting, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. He has already started writing a list of questions to ask once we get there. I told him I would answer anything he wanted to know, or we could google it if I wasn’t sure, but he’s already on a tangent, and when Alex wants to know something, he’ll do everything in his power to make sure it gets done. It’s a little irritating to say the least, but you have to pick and choose your battles, and Alex’s piece of mind is not a battle I plan on initiating.

Anyway followers, I will, as always, keep you posted on what’s going on. When we land, Alex wants to go back to his place and relax, and I can’t say that I blame him. The last few days have been intense, and long, and I’m exhausted. My own bed sounds heavenly. Then, we are going to figure out how to solve our problems, and get on with our lives!

Alex

I’ve never been a huge fan of flying, although having my own jet helps out a lot. The fact that I am placing my life in the hands of someone who went to school for a few years to operate a giant metal bird freaks me out. This trip was immensely worse for me. It’s true that I had Charlotte on the plane on the way here, but now, knowing that she is pregnant, it’s going to send me into an early grave.

At first, I’ll be honest, I didn’t even think it would be ok that Charlotte flew, and I was angry at her for risking our child’s life on the first flight out to New Jersey. But, after consulting with a respected and trusted OB doctor in Los Angeles, and her affirming that it was ok for Charlotte to fly, my anger receded. Now, I had an entire list of questions that I would never have thought to ask.

What was Charlotte not allowed to eat? What are the restrictions on working? Didn’t I read somewhere it was best she stay in bed with her feet popped up? I was lost and drowning in doubt for my abilities to be a good father, the least I could do was make sure that Charlotte had the best care possible and she stuck with whatever decisions the doctor deemed fit with her health.

Taking a calming breath, I pushed the thoughts of fatherhood from my mind, and delved into the heart of our problem. Robert Nelson. I needed to find a way to get him back behind bars and out of our life, once and for all. I wasn’t a fan of murder but, at the same time, I was going to do whatever it took to make sure he never bothered us again.

Prior to getting on the plane, I called Bracks and spoke with him. We both agreed our first stop was to contact Robert’s father, Steve Nelson. Although Steve had gotten his son out of prison on good behavior, we both also knew that, with elections coming up soon, Steve would want nothing to taint his re-election. We also knew, compliments of Charlotte, that Steve had financially cut Robert off. Our hope was that he still had some influence on Robert and would be able to rein him in, and if not, well then, we’d take him down legally.

Unfortunately, the likelihood that Steve had some pull in the law enforcement was pretty strong, and although we wanted things to be done in a legal fashion, we both knew it could come down to something much less savory. Both Bracks and I were willing to go as far as it took to make sure Charlotte and the baby were safe.

I told Bracks to set up an appointment with Senator Nelson as soon as possible, and it didn’t take long before he sent me a text that he would be meeting with me Friday morning. We were still on the plane, before take-off. We left the east coast at almost 11pm on Wednesday night, so we wouldn’t even arrive in Los Angeles until early in the morning on Thursday. That gave me one full day with Charlotte before my meeting with Steve.

I planned on sleeping through most of it, and loving Charlotte the rest of the time. I didn’t know what was going to happen when I met with Steve, and I hoped for all of our sakes that he would be compliant in helping us out, but both Bracks and I were prepared for the worst while hoping for the best.

We still had a little over four hours left in our flight, and my sleep reserve was running low. Deciding a nap would be my best bet, I unbuckled my seatbelt and walked over to a sleeping Charlotte. Grabbing her phone from her hand, I placed it on the side table next to her, and pulled the blanket up to tuck her in. Leaning down, I put my hand to her belly for just a moment. I was going to be a dad, and I’d make damn sure I was the best dad any little kid could ask for.

“I love you, Charlotte. I love you, Gummy Bear,” I whispered, before placing a kiss on her forehead and heading back to my seat.

**********

Before I knew it, we were landing in Los Angeles, and a short car ride brought us both to the outside of my building.

“Charlotte, baby, wake up. We’re home,” I whispered, gently waking her. I loved watching her wake up, slightly disoriented, hair a mess, innocence pouring from her eyes. I helped her sit up in her seat and admired her as she rubbed her eyes and tried to tame her unruly hair.

“I thought you were taking me home?” she yawned.

“Why would you think that?” I asked. Why would she think I would want to be away from her at all? Especially not to a home where her crazy ex knew her location.

“I don’t know. You said you wanted to go home and sleep, I thought you meant without me,” she said sheepishly.

Her words hurt. I never wanted to be away from her, and I told her that much, “Charlotte, when I said I wanted to go home and sleep, I meant, I wanted
us
to go home and sleep. If that means you’d prefer to go back to your house and sleep there, I’ll tell Bracks to start the car and head back to Corona. My home is wherever you are. But I will NOT leave you alone. Not only because of the threat, but because I want to spend every available moment with you.” I could tell my admission hit her hard, but I meant every word. 

“I love you so much, Alex, but what about Danny? I’m so worried.” Her voice quivered.

Handing her my cell phone, I told her to call him. If he wanted to come sleep in one of the guest bedrooms, I had no issue with that. He could even bring Jerry, especially seeing as Charlotte would no longer be sleeping in the guest bed, or be using the guest facilities in any capacity. Her place was in my bed now.

When we made it up to my apartment, I quickly let us in, doing a once over to make sure everything was as it should be. I didn’t know how Robert was getting the information he was obtaining, but I wasn’t going to put anything past him, including finding out my address. I hated the fact that I didn’t feel safe in my own home, and I hated even more that Charlotte didn’t feel safe anywhere either, but as long as she was with me, I would protect her until my dying breath, and I knew Bracks would as well.

While I waited for Charlotte to finish her conversation with Danny, I wandered into the kitchen to snag a bottle of water. I would have liked to grab something a little stronger, but I wanted to keeps my wits about me, and besides, I fully planned on spending the majority of my day in bed with Charlotte before my meeting with Senator Nelson on tomorrow morning, and having a hangover was never passion inducing.

“Thank you, Alex,” Charlotte said, coming up from behind me, handing me back my cell phone. “I asked him to come over here and stay the night, but Jerry is over and he promised he would be safe and lock all the locks on the front door.”

Pulling her into me, I set my chin on her head and smelled her hair. I loved the smell of Charlotte, so feminine, so….. her. She wrapped her arms around my torso and buried her nose into my chest, and there we stood for minutes, or hours, I wasn’t sure, just living for the time together and enjoying the feeling of being in each other’s arms.

When Charlotte yawned into my shirt, I knew it was time to take her to bed, and as much as the thought of burying myself deep inside her excited me, we were both worn out and needed the rest. Tomorrow would be here soon enough.

Releasing her from my grasp, I grabbed her hand and made my way up the stairs, remembering our first encounter on them. Her nerves and her stammer had charmed me more than I had cared to admit at the time, and when she took a tumble down, I felt my heart plummet into my stomach. Thinking about it now sent a shiver through me, which I hoped Charlotte didn’t feel. The rug she had bled on had cost more than a year’s worth of her salary, but I refused to get rid of it at the time. I couldn’t explain it then, any more than I could explain it now, but it still sat in my closet, uncleaned.

When we got into the room, Charlotte went to the bed and sat on the edge, looking at me. “What’s the plan, Alex?” she asked me, hope filling her beautiful emerald eyes.