by Megan Noelle
Fighting
For You
Written by
Author Megan Noelle
Edited by
Cara Arthur
Table of Contents
Dedicated to…
Copyright © 2013 by Megan Noelle
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Acknowledgments
Dedicated to…
Tracy McKay and Cara Arthur
The love and support you ladies have for me is beautiful and inspiring. I could never truly thank you enough. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have my girls! And I know Corey wouldn’t be the same either.
*~*~*~*~*
In Loving Memory of
Rob Toon
He gave up his life to watch over all of those he loves.
Love and Miss You, Toony.
Jase x
“Forever by my side”
Fighting For You
Book Two in the For You Series
Copyright © 2013 by Megan Noelle
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Thank you for supporting and respecting the hard work of
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Note:
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places
and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or
are used factiously. Any resemblance to actual persons,
living or dead, business establishments, events or locales
is entirely coincidental.
Disclaimer:
The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked
status and trademark owners of the following word marks
mentioned in this work of fiction:
Cover Photography by Claudio Harris
Cover Model Jase Dean
Cover Design by Kari March of K23 Design
Lead Editor: Cara Arthur
Content Editors:
Julie Schneider, Kari March, Shelli Godinho
Formatting by Sarah Elizabeth
Prologue
Just let it go.
Ollie’s voice echoed around my head as his lips slobbered up the ridge of my ear. For half a second, I considered giving in to his advances, but just as soon as I let myself give in—I gave up. Part of the reason was because my cell phone started ringing, and it had my whole body on edge, wondering who it could be. Truthfully, though, it was all because of Corey. Maybe it had been my choice to walk away from him—okay, sneak away—this morning, but that didn’t mean I didn’t love him. I knew I’d be leaving, and I was scared. But, with Ollie kissing up on me, it reaffirmed my heart’s true desire—it was only Corey I wanted.
“I have to get that.” I shoved Ollie away, and in a panic, I lunged for my phone. If that was Corey calling, I needed to answer. I would tell him my long overdue revelation that he was the only one I could ever want. Then I would apologize profusely for, well, everything.
The second the phone touched my fingers, I answered. I didn’t even register who was calling just as long as the call didn’t go unanswered.
“Hello?” Ollie protested behind me but I ignored him. There was only one sound I wanted to hear and it wasn’t his voice.
“Danielle?” The voice was one I recognized but not one I expected.
“Oh. Hi, Erik. How are you?” I felt my mood spiraling downwards. This was the call I had been waiting for. Although, now, with the realization that it was Corey I loved, it was this call I was dreading.
“I’m doing just wonderful! We need to talk though, my darling!” I looked over my shoulder at Ollie, who was standing with his arms crossed over his chest. I knew right away that he was not happy that I took this call.
“We do. Can you please give me a moment?”
“Of course, Dani!”
“Thanks.” I put my phone on mute and turned my full attention to the pissed off man standing only feet away.
“I need to take this.” Ollie’s harsh expression softened.
“Oh! Well, that’s not a problem. I can wait in the bedroom.” Yeah—so not what I meant.
“No, I mean …” I trailed off, hoping he’d catch on, but he didn’t. I sighed and dropped all pretenses. “This isn’t going to happen, Ollie. I think it’s time for you to go.”
“You can’t be serious!” He retorted.
“No, I am.”
“But Dee …” I held up my hand to silence him. There was nothing he could say to change my mind, so there was no point in even trying.
“Please go. You can see yourself out the way you let yourself in.” After a little more huffing and puffing, he finally stomped away.
I averted my attention back to my phone. “Sorry about that, Erik.”
“It’s no problem, but Dani—I need you back.”
This was no surprise, but quite honestly, the reality of it was still a slap in the face. My time here had truly only been a fragment of my life that left me altered, and I knew I would never be the same. Corey was a flash of lightning in the dark sky. He came and went so quickly I almost wondered if it wasn’t anything more than a bittersweet dream. That one stunning and captivating moment left an imprint in my mind that wouldn’t soon be forgotten.
No matter what—I knew Corey would never be forgotten in my heart.
“Well, that’s good, Erik. Because it’s time for me to come home.”
Chapter One
Three Months Later
Here I was with a horrible tie-back gown, sitting on obnoxiously noisy paper that crinkles with the slightest breath. My legs hung off the edge of the cold metal table, swinging back and forth to ease my nerves. I longed for a cigarette, but knew that was no longer an option. I replaced that bad habit with biting my nails and grinding my teeth. Thinking back to the phone call from Erik, I thought that was the call that changed my life. I was wrong. That call may have sealed my return to New York, but little did I know that my fate was already determined.
“Will you quit fidgeting?” My best friend of countless years, Gabriella, scolded.
I shot a glare in her direction. Twinges of jealousy shot through me as I watched Gabby carelessly flip through tabloid magazines, while chewing a piece of fruity gum. Not to mention she was allowed to sit on a normal chair while I was stuck on this thing. Might as well throw a spotlight on me to make this situation just a little more uncomfortable.
“I can’t help it!” I snapped back. I was annoyed with Gabby now, but I would never choose to not have her here with me.
“Well, try! Your fidgeting is making me nervous.”
“Oh, you’re right! Heaven forbid I make you nervous!” A soothing hand pressed against my knee. I looked into her honey brown eyes and saw the undeniabl
e support within them. “Hey, everything is going to be okay.” For a moment, I believed her. I took a deep, calming breath and tried to relax.
“Okay.” I said.
Minutes later there was a soft knock at the door before the doctor came through. The woman wore a large smile on her slowly aging face. Her cheery disposition filled the tense space.
“Hello! Hello! Hello!” She sang out. Gabby quickly dropped her magazines and stood with her hand out. While I on the other hand, was frozen to the spot.
“It’s great to see you again, Doctor.” I suppressed a giggle at Gabby’s formality.
“Well, it is wonderful to have you both back!” Dr. Livingston was kind, bubbly, and when she confirmed my suspicions, she didn’t yell at me for puking on her white coat. “So, my dear, how have you been?” She clasped my hand in both of hers as she did every other time she greeted me.
“I've been fine, thank you.” Truthfully, I’ve been on edge—nervous, anxious, scared, and excited. You name it and I’ve probably felt it recently. There was just no reason to go into all that with her. This kind woman was my doctor, not my therapist.
“Wonderful. Now, what is the reason for our visit today?” She sat with her laptop in front of her, ready to take notes, but remained focused on me.
“Well, I’ll be moving soon and I just want to be sure everything is okay.”
“Absolutely. Have there been any complications so far?”
I shook my head and watched Gabby’s face light up with concern. “No, nothing so far.”
“Well, she has been very sick,” my overly worried best friend butted in, “puking sometimes all day long.”
My doctor nodded her head as she washed and dried her hands. “That is very normal, unfortunately. It can be a real bummer, obviously, but that is nothing to be worried about.”
“Super.” My unenthusiastic thoughts surfaced, making Dr. Livingston let out a laugh.
“Yes, it’s not very fun but that should end soon.”
“That’s good.” Every time this part of the visit started, I had a mini panic attack. Dr. Livingston indicated for me to lie back, and when I did, she pressed her hand against my lower belly. Her hand moved carefully around as she examined the little thing that I still couldn’t get my mind around. She gave a reassuring smile because I’m sure I looked as though I was about to pass out.
“Everything feels good. The size feels right and baby is right where it should be, but let’s have a listen, shall we?” I watched as she pulled out a special little device that I’ve seen a couple times before. I couldn’t help but notice Gabby’s equally awed expression as the both of us watched every move Dr. Livingston made.
The little device that served as a microphone moved slowly along my lower abdomen, while static noise filled the room. Then out of the silence and anticipation came the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard before—a heartbeat. Not just any heartbeat. It was my child's heartbeat.
Corey’s child’s heartbeat.
Our child’s heartbeat.
The fast beating sound immediately brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my lips. My hand reached out and immediately, Gabby’s took hold. I looked over to her and watched my best friend’s beautiful honey eyes fill with tears the way mine did.
“That’s my baby,” I whispered.
Dr. Livingston shot me one of her heartwarming smiles. “That’s your baby,” she repeated.
“That is literally the most amazing thing I have ever heard,” Gabby added, making my smile grow wider.
“It is an unbelievable thing,” Dr. Livingston agreed as she continued taking measurements and ensuring my unborn baby was okay. I had a million questions about what was to come - the gender, the labor, everything, but I was truly speechless. I sat there, completely stunned, enjoying this amazing moment.
“Well, my dear, everything seems great! Baby is right on track at 12 weeks and is progressing beautifully.”
I finally found my voice enough to answer. “That’s great to hear.”
“Now, you said you were moving?” She asked, while taking a seat at the desk to jot down notes about our visit.
“Yes, I am. Very soon.”
“Where are you moving?” In my peripheral vision I saw another tear roll down Gabby’s cheek. This time, the tear wasn’t one of joy. From the moment I decided that I needed to move back to Serenity Cove, Gabby had been a wreck. She knew how important my return was, but that didn’t make it any easier.
“To a little town in southern Maine.”
Dr. Livingston stopped what she was doing and turned to me. “That sounds lovely. Does your family live there?”
I nodded. “Yes, they do.”
“What about the child’s father?” The question slipped out, and I saw by the look on her face that she honestly did not mean to ask. “Forgive me, please. That is none of my business.”
“No, it’s alright. The father actually doesn’t know about the baby, but yes, he lives in Maine. He’ll be finding out very soon.” The thought twisted my stomach in crazy knots. It had been three months since I’d seen or talked to Corey, but there wasn’t a moment I wasn’t thinking of him. Corey would always be the best person I’ve ever known—I just hoped that I hadn’t lost him for good.
At least now, no matter what, I would always have a part of him.
“I wish all the best for you and your new little one. On your way out, stop by the front counter. The receptionist will have a packet of your information and results from anything we’ve done during your visits. She will also have a list of surrounding OB/GYNs for you, so you can keep on track with checkups. Although you may not be due for one quite yet, I recommend you go within the first month of arrival to check in with them. Let them run tests and let them get acquainted with you and the baby.”
“Okay, I can do that.”
“Wonderful! Well then, if you have no more questions—I’d say you are good to go.”
“Thank you so much, Doctor. I really appreciate your time.” I sat up and quickly shook her hand.
“It’s what I do. Now take care.” Gabby stood and shook Dr. Livingston’s hand, and before I could even sit down, Gabby pulled me into a firm embrace.
“Everything is going to be okay,” she whispered into my ear. Whether she was saying that because it was the classic 'best friend thing to do', or if it was just something on my face that told her I needed her—I didn’t know, but I was grateful for the support. If I had to be alone during that moment, I don’t think I would have made it through completely intact, mentally of course. A few stray tears rolled down my cheeks and onto her shoulder.
“Okay,” I said. There was no reason not to believe her, and if I started doubting her, I'd truly lose it.
“I’ll go grab your paperwork from the nurse while you finish getting ready.”
“Sounds good.” With another squeeze she released me, scooped up her purse, and left the room.
I slipped my clothes back into place, but as I tugged my sweatshirt back on, my hands lingered on my stomach. There was hardly a bump and Dr. Livingston had told me it was still too small for me to feel movements. That doesn’t mean I didn’t try. It was a surreal experience, and if you asked me four months ago if I wanted to be pregnant, I’d say no chance in hell! But, if you asked me at that moment if I could imagine not having something living inside of me—I couldn’t. It had only been a month since I found out about my baby, but those thirty days had defined me and my future.
When I made my way out to the waiting room, Gabby was seated in one of the chairs. In her hands she clutched my folder of information as if her life depended on it.
She stood when she saw me.
“Are you ready?” What Gabby failed to realize was just how loaded that question was.
“I hope so.” She gave me a strange look, but didn’t question it further. Instead, we linked arms and walked out to the parking lot.
We rode back to Gabby’s apartment—the place I’ve been callin
g home for the past few months. Living with her had been a completely therapeutic experience. After receiving my (once again) boss Erik’s phone call, I packed up and a couple days later I was on the road. I needed to get out of Serenity Cove and away from everything. After turning Oliver down, he became very persistent. His calls and texts were constant and unfailing. My responses were short or non-existent. Oliver wasn’t the one I wanted to talk to and the one I wanted to hadn’t, said a word to me. Not that I could blame him. I was in love with Corey Preston and I did just about everything in my power to drive him away.
Unfortunately—it worked.
It took everything in me not to call, but I managed. The way I left things was irreparable and unforgiveable. Honestly, that had been the plan from the beginning. If Corey hated me, it’d be that much easier for him to move on with his life. I had decided that my life was in New York; I put in endless hours striving to have everything I dreamed of. That was where I belonged.
At least, that was the mindset I was in three months prior. As opposed to the first time I drove away from Serenity, that time I ached for Ollie but knew I needed to get away. This time every mile that sailed by was one more knife twisting into the open wound of my heart. I thought leaving Ollie was bad—it was nothing compared to leaving Corey.
The pain didn’t subside as my life returned to the way I “wanted”; being without Corey was the hardest thing I ever had to endure.
The first few weeks back were torturous. Work was crazy busy with the expansion of the women’s magazine, Empower, in full swing. Thankfully, it distracted my mind for a few hours of the day at least. Eventually the work day always came to an end, leaving me with nothing but my thoughts and that was never a safe place to be.
I sat alone in an empty house with the silence and loneliness echoing around the walls. In the beginning, I sat in the living room—even when Gabby wasn’t home. I always flipped on the TV and stared at whatever was on from the last time it was being watched. Never once did I pay attention to what it was; I simply stared at it, zoning out into a different place. The living room began to feel like an empty stadium with me sitting smack in the middle and I hated it. Slowly, I took to sitting alone in my room with my blankets wrapped around me. Nothing could fill the void, nothing made it better and, frankly, I don’t think I had ever hated myself more in my life.