Running To You (13 page)

Just as I hit send, Coop is calling, “Hey Alex, you just got out of bed, didn’t you? Should I come kick that tall, tight-ass out of bed each morning? What have you become, sleeping in all afternoon?”

“Well, good morning to you
Sergeant
! For your info, I didn’t just get out of bed. I actually woke up before the sun this morning. Although, I did forget to charge my phone last night, oops!” Okay, so I left the sickness part of it out.

Trying to change the subject, “How are things in Dallas, Coop? Did you go to Sambuca’s last night with Mark?”

“Yes, Alex, we went and hung out with a few of the stylists from one of the shoots last week. We’ve had a good time, but we aren’t really together right now. All the drama that’s been happening, Mark thought I would pack up and follow you, so he wanted to give me time to see what I wanted to do. I got my real estate license and now with all the modeling, I am looking at what my options are. If you aren’t coming back, I may commute, break the lease, or at the very least, sublet the apartment, if I can. We’ll see what you decide in the next few weeks. How is your training going?”

“The training is kicking my butt. They have requested that I add more small meals a day. It seems I am losing too much weight and have no energy. Something to do with my iron count on my blood work.”

“Are you seeing a doctor there? That makes me worry more about you, if that is possible?”

“I am calling on Monday to make an appointment. I will let you know. They sent all my records up and I will take them with me.”

“Do you want me to come up and go with you?”

“No, Coop, I am a big girl. I think after everything, I can handle it! You worry too much, just like a mother hen!”

“Well, somebody’s got to do it. So it might as well be me, right? But, I can still make you look good. I bet you haven’t gotten out of that Bears t-shirt all day have you?”

“Are you peeking on me? Well, it is comfortable, what can I say!”

“Love ya, girl!” and abruptly, he was gone, off to do his thing.

I settled in with my things unpacked and got ahead of my paperwork for the week. By this time, it was evening and I wanted to go for a swim. I made my way to the pool and took in a few laps, but energy just wasn’t with me. I think that I am ready for that Dr.’s appointment after all. This tiredness is so unusual for me, right after the accident maybe, but I had begun to gain strength, not lose it. Maybe I am just over thinking things and I have been eating poorly.

As my Monday morning came to a close with Drew, I remembered that I needed to make the appointment with the doctor. I looked up the referral that the training team had given me. The receptionist remembered receiving all of my information from Dallas and asked me come in on Friday. The timing was good for me and allowed for me to keep my training schedule that afternoon.

Friday, it's Friday already! Where did this week go? Today is my appointment with the new physician that will take over for my head injury and physical therapy training. As I filled out all of the paperwork, I was grateful that the team in Dallas was so thorough with sending all the information. This made my acclimation a little easier.

“Hello, Ms. Morrison. I am Dr. Davis.”

“Dr. Davis, please call me Alex.”

“Alex, sorry for the wait, I have been reviewing your chart. Seems like you were a lucky young lady a few months back and you’ve been healing well for the most part. The trainers sent over a note that their charts show a low energy level and a very low iron count. Can you tell me when your last normal menstrual period was by chance?”

“Well, since my accident, my cycles have not returned. They told me this was normal and encouraged me to eat more small meals a day, which I have done. However, I have no energy and feel like I am still really pulling myself around these last couple of weeks. I am also having bits of nausea and at times, food will taste funny or not be appetizing at all.”

“Alex, I am going to run a few tests. I have a few thoughts in mind, but I want to be sure. I don’t think this is anything to worry about. Normally, it takes a day to have the results, but you are my last patient today. If you don’t mind waiting, we can have the results shortly, keeping you from worry over the weekend.” As Dr. Davis showed me to the lab, my mind was racing as to what was going on. Could low iron be causing all of my symptoms?

After almost an hour, Dr. Davis takes me to his office. “Alex, your symptoms are very normal for this type of thing and your blood test confirms that you are in fact, pregnant. Your iron count is seriously low, but I am confident that we can get that up with iron supplements and iron rich foods. My nurse will give you all of the information when you leave and the prescriptions for the vitamins. With your recent history and symptoms, I asked Dr. Creek, an Obstetrician within our group if she could see you today. Are you okay with that?”

In shock and suffering from disbelief, I can only murmur “Yes, that’s fine” and shudder at the thought of his words...PREGNANT!

Pregnant, how could that be? This is impossible. We had sex one night and we used a condom. Oh, no, not in the shower we didn’t. What was I going to do now, this cannot be happening? Can’t I get a break, just once?

Dr. Davis’ nurse gave me directions up to Dr. Creek’s suite. As I entered the room with a full view of several expectant ladies, the realization of what was happening came over me. I could feel myself slumping into a chair nearby. Observing what was transpiring, the receptionist rushed out to assist me, but not before I passed completely out. When I came to, I was in a private room with several ladies attending me with cold cloths and fanning my face with a magazine. “I am really embarrassed. I am so sorry, I feel better now,” was all I could muster from my emotional state.

The ladies were quite accommodating, and then the tall brunette spoke up, “Hi, I’m Kelly. I am Dr. Creek’s nurse. Sorry we had to meet this way. I know you feel embarrassed. But just so you know, you aren’t the only patient to faint on us. It’s quite common in the first trimester, just recline here and relax. Dr. Creek will be joining us momentarily and we will take a look at your baby and go over some dos and don’ts. We also need to take a look at your leg, seems you may have quite the bruise, hopefully that is all. Dr. Davis has sent up your records so that Dr. Creek can go over all of your history with you and what you can expect going forward. Sound good?”

“Yes, Kelly, thank you for being so kind. I apologize for drawing so much attention today; it seems to be the norm for me lately!”

“Well, Alexandra, while you are going through your pregnancy, just enjoy the attention!” With that, she giggled slightly, but all I could muster was a small smile, still reeling from my news of a baby.

Dr. Creek knocks on the door and enters gingerly, “Hi Alexandra, I am Dr. Creek
,” as she sat down on a chair beside my bed and gave me a pat on the hand. “You have had quite an exciting last few months, haven’t you?” Before I could answer, she continued “Alexandra, your body is still in healing mode from your head injury and stroke, not to mention you are already thin and losing weight. There are additional factors that make your pregnancy higher risk, meaning that we have quite a few dos and don’ts to help us get to a successful delivery. Everything we go over today will be in a nice packet for you to take home and read over the weekend. You have complete access to us at all times, either I, Kelly, or one of my nurse practitioners carry a cell phone 24/7, that you may call with any needs that you may have.”

Dr. Creek set up the ultrasound machine and squeezed warm gel below my belly button. As she moved a wand around, she had a questioning look on her face, “Alexandra, your bladder isn’t completely full, but I can still see the slight swelling in your uterus and there is a tiny gestational sack right here,” as she pointed to a dark circle on the screen. “Do you know when your last menstrual period was?”

“I haven’t had one since before my injury, but I have only been intimate once and that was a month ago.” Wow, so the books are right...it only takes once. As if Dr. Creek was reading my mind, “Well Alexandra that is about exactly what I measure out here. It is still too early to see or hear a heartbeat at this time, but we will do that when you come for your next visit,” as she wiped off the gel and helped me sit up, then taking a seat of her own.

“Alexandra, I am going to write a script for extra vitamins and give you a list of iron rich foods. We’ll get your iron up and you will feel better and stronger in a few weeks. Please call me if you have any questions. I want to see you again in three weeks. Congratulations!” She gave me a big, maternal hug on her way out.

I just sat there in shock...a baby. I am going to be having a baby with Grayson.

On my way to my car, well actually Harrison’s car, all I could think about was my little baby. I wish my mom were here
. She would enjoy this moment with me and know exactly what to say; she would probably even say the heart has two sides...yes it does, mine and now my baby’s!

Chapter 9

Coop is the only person that I could think of to share this news with and who wouldn’t judge me. Of all the factors in my life going on, the baby was the most important and I couldn’t imagine going through this without Cooper. Not that I had the energy to return to Dallas, I didn’t want to drag Cooper out of town, especially if he was busy with a shoot. I called Daddy’s pilot to see if I could use the corporate jet and he indicated he would be ready in 45 minutes and would have Rueben pick me up.

Driving back to the apartment, I packed a quick bag for just a few days and waited for Vinnie to let me know Rueben was here. As I waited, I sent Harrison a text...

Something in Dallas that needs my attention. Car is in the garage, keys with Vinnie. Rain check on dinner?

Harrison’s response:
U bet, anything or anyone I can help with?

I could read between the lines, he thought I was going to see Grayson.

I responded:
No, but thanks.

Well, it was not about him, directly, not yet anyway. I tried thinking about how I was going to break the news to Grayson, or was I. Did he have to know so soon? I couldn’t keep this information from him, he would find out and hunt me down, this is his child and he has rights as a father. Would he think that I did this on purpose? I was pondering all my options and various scenarios when Rueben arrived to take me to the airport. As I boarded the plane and thanked the pilot for flying on short notice, on a Friday evening no doubt, I took my seat to organize my thoughts.

I was deep into my thoughts as a song caught me by surprise from my iPod,
Someone Like You by Van Morrison.
The words overcame me. I had been waiting for someone like Grayson to come along and fulfill all of my needs, putting sunshine where there had been darkness, filling my heart where there had been despair. Did I mean as much to him? Why couldn’t he tell me? He was still healing from his own pain caused by the evil witch Olivia. Why did she have to mess everything up for us? Where is his head at? Would he blame me for getting pregnant? Would he think I did it on purpose? He admitted that he wasn’t ready to take it to a serious level, and then he didn’t say anything and remained so quiet after we made love.

The words from the song continued...
the best is yet to come.

Cooper would know what to do. He would be there to help me as he had been all my life, the older brother with all the answers. As I got into a cab at the airport and turned my phone on there were messages from Cooper and Dad. Dad was concerned why the abruptness of my trip, fearing something was wrong with me or something had happened to Coop. I called his voicemail and let him know that it was neither of those scenarios; I just needed to take care of some paperwork on the apartment. I was not being completely dishonest, just not ready to share the news yet. If Coop sublet the apartment, I would need to sign paperwork.

Calling Coop, “Hey Coop, what’s up?”

“Alex, your dad called me looking for you, something about the plane. Where the hell are you? And don’t give me the run-around!” He was worried, yelling at me, angry even.

“Coop, I came back home and I am pulling up to the apartment, are you home?”

He opened the door and ran to me, holding me tight. He knew something was wrong, he could always read my moods. As we walked into the apartment, I could feel the emotion of everything and I was beginning to sob hysterically. Coop put his arms around me and held me for what seemed like hours until I was ready to talk. Finally breaking the silence, Coop laughed at me. “Girl, I don’t know what stylist you are using in Chicago, but we need to fire them!” We both started laughing. Not realizing that I was going to be judged on my fashion, I threw on a warm sweatshirt, jeans, and flats, something easy to travel in.

As we got comfortable in the apartment, Coop was just watching me. Mustering up my courage, I looked at Coop, whose eyes were shouting
SPILL IT
and went for it...

“Coop, I’m pregnant!!” Then the tears started again.

“Well, is that all? Alex, I know you know where babies come from?” He said with a light-hearted, soulful voice and gave me another hug.

“Yes Coop; I know where babies come from. Grayson and I only had sex that one night and we used protection, but then the shower...” I couldn’t finish the details, Coop looked like he was my father at that moment and I wasn’t comfortable spilling my sex details with a father figure.

He was smiling at me, “Have you told Grayson yet?”

I shook my head, “You are the first for me to utter the words, I just found out this afternoon." As we sat for some time on the sofa, Coop holding me for comfort.

Just as I expected, he started with his Grayson spiel. However, something he said caught me by surprise. ”Alex, you punished him for not being forthcoming and honest with you. Don’t be a hypocrite. You have to live by your own words and besides, he is a doctor and he is going to figure this out. If you don’t call him, I will!"

“Coop, what you say is true, but you can’t force a relationship with us. I want him to love me because he does, because he finds me to be the center of his earth, because he needs me and desires me as much as I do him...because he loves me. Don’t I deserve that?” Continuing, “Besides, what did I ever do to piss off the love gods?” Chuckling, trying to make light of the situation. My stomach was growling. It had been a long day.

“Have you eaten? Of course you haven’t, stupid question! Fine, we will go grab something light, but sustaining, since it is late. I have found this cool bistro that should be quiet this time of night and they won’t care how you are dressed, if you are up to a short walk?” He's laughing at me!

I did run and change, tried to primp my hair and makeup slightly. We headed out for a walk to the Bistro, happy that Coop didn’t try to throw dinner and dancing at our favorite hotspot at me.

“So, I am going to have a niece or nephew. That is cool. I want dibs on name approval!” He gave me thumbs up.

“Well, I think it is too soon to get carried away with names, seems this is a high-risk pregnancy due to my recent history. So let’s just get through the first trimester. I keep thinking about how I am going to break the news to Grayson.” Before I could finish, there was a tap on my shoulder.

“Break what news to Grayson, Alexandra?” A stern voice that came from behind me. As I turned, there stood Grayson glaring at me.

“Coop, what the hell did you do? Did you call him and let him know that I was here? I am sick of you two conspiring.” Coop put his hand over my mouth shushing me!

“Alex, I did no such thing, this is purely a coincidence, I swear!” His eyes were looking at me ready for any bit of comfort that he was off the hook. I didn’t know whether to believe him or not, but Grayson didn’t care, he just wanted an answer to the question and rightfully so. Not wanting to deliver DADDY news in front of the Bistro, I decided to buy myself some time. I wanted to make it a private moment, he, at least, deserved that. “I just got in and was going to call you so that we could get together. I just thought it might be tomorrow, so I didn’t get dressed up.”

Not buying it, Grayson’s tone sharp, “What else, Alexandra, what news do you need to break to me?” He wasn’t smiling, I am sure that he had multiple ideas of what I had to say. But the truth was nowhere in the middle of those thoughts, I was certain.

“Grayson, we do need to talk, but not here. Can we get something to go, maybe go back to my place?” Thinking that we needed privacy, since there were several patrons in the bistro and the staff was beginning look at us peculiarly.

“Let’s go back to my apartment, if that is okay with Cooper and then he is free to enjoy his evening, sound good?” I could only nod yes, but I was comfortable with that. Coop must have been fine with it, because he hugged me bye, did the brotherly one-arm hug with Grayson and he bolted out the door! I am sure that he was ready for this to go one-way or another. For being a model and also being gay, he is not the drama kind of guy. He is more comfortable with cut and dry, like me, and lately, we’ve had nothing but drama.

We ordered soup and a couple of sandwiches and made our way back to Grayson’s apartment. We were both quiet as we walked. I put on some music and he went to pour a couple of glasses of wine and I didn’t know what to do. If I said I wasn’t drinking he would know, but then he does deserve to know...the words wouldn’t come to me. I took the glass of wine, but didn’t take a sip, rather took in a deep breath of courage and went for it.

“Grayson, since returning to Chicago, I haven’t been feeling well.” He went to interrupt me, but I stopped him.

“No, it is nothing to be concerned about really, not in that way anyway. Grayson, it seems that we are going to be parents, but I don’t have any expectations.” Grayson cut me off with the most glorious kiss, so deep he almost knocked me off the bar stool. It felt so good to be in his arms. Oh, how I loved the smell of his body. I missed his touch. I missed him so much. His kiss was so delicious, his powerful lips overtaking mine. To feel his tongue posses my mouth. His arms were gripping me tight like fear was keeping him from letting go. Finally, after a few minutes, he let go and helped me sit on the sofa.

“Alexandra Elise Morrison, I love you!

I have been such a fool.

I should have told you before, before you even told me.

For I knew it the first time we danced,

you were under my skin.

I LOVE YOU so much and having a baby with you

is the most precious gift.

I have been a fool...I came to Chicago

with the purpose of bringing you home.

But the timing was wrong for you,

and the emotion was raw for both of us.

I had to give you that space to find your way back to me.

I couldn’t be happier about the baby

Please say that you will stay here

so that we can work this out?”

He was looking at me with tears in his glistening eyes, so endearing, so vulnerable at this very moment. This was so much to process, but I knew that I had loved him from the beginning.

“Grayson, I love you! I just want us to spend time together right now, and work through our issues of trust. I want to try and find some harmony for our baby’s sake. The most important thing is getting this baby to a healthy delivery!” I could tell that the news made him happy, visible in his piercing blue eyes.

“Angel, I have waited for you to come back, watching every day to see if I could see you back in town, never leaving my phone, afraid I would miss your call. I love you so much, it hurts. Would you be willing to move in with me, let us spend quality time together as a couple and find that harmony you are talking about? I want to be here to experience this pregnancy with you and...”, I reached to his mouth and shushed him, “Grayson, there is so much for us to talk about, but right now, there is only one thing that I want...and that is to be with you. I want to feel the passion again that was so alive when we were together for the first time and again when we made our baby in the shower.”

“Ah yes, the shower! I realized afterward what we had done. Angel I have no regrets!” Carrying me to his bathroom, our lips entwined. “Now, let’s see about that passion request.” He said, as he started the shower.

As he looked down at me with loving, gentle eyes, I knew I was in the right place. He kissed me tenderly on my lips, my neck. He removed my blouse and slipped the straps of my bra down on my shoulders so that my breasts were partially exposed, gently nibbling at the round of my breasts. Reaching around to my back, he unhooked my bra and let it fall to the floor. “You are so beautiful. Your soft skin is so sweet to touch. I love your smell, your taste.”

Nervously, I removed his shirt and began to explore his body with my hands, rummaging his hair, finding his lips, and his chest. He smelled so good, just like I remembered. How I longed to inhale him at night when I was alone. I unhooked the button on his jeans and lowered the zipper, pushing his jeans and boxers to the floor to expose his beautiful strong, masculine body. As we began to kiss passionately, I could feel the heat from between my legs, my body responding to him, my nipples hard and sensitive, and my heart beating for two. As I thought about our baby, I began to crave him even more. He unzipped my jeans and in one quick swoop, let them drop to the floor. He reached around my waist and picked me up. Stepping out his jeans and into the shower we went. Exploring each other's bodies with lips, tongues, gentle kisses. As desire took hold of us both, we were getting more aggressive and as he pushed his erection into me, I could feel the heat buildup deep inside me. I knew that this was right. This is where we belonged, together. He was biting my chin and my breast. His arm was around my waist, holding me. His other hand was grasping my hand against the wall of the shower. My legs wrapped around his waist as he pushed in and out of me. I could not hold back any longer and whimpered as I climaxed around him, pulsating so tightly, it felt like an explosion. My nipples and sex both so sensitive to touch and movement, but he kept pushing in and out of me until he reached his own climax deep inside me. He held me still as he erupted into a quiet, almost painful moan.

We were still for several minutes, unable to move, the warm water just running down on top of us, steam filling the shower. Grayson was the first to speak and the first to move, “Alexandra, I have longed for this for the last 3 weeks, I am so glad you are here with me, I love you so much!” He whispered quietly to my lips, tears filled his eyes, “Please don’t leave me. Please say you will stay here. Whenever you feel like running, that you run to me and not back to Chicago?”