by Malone, M.
They sat in comfortable silence for a while. Raina seemed to be thinking about what he’d said.
“You know, I don’t think I could have done what you did. Could I have stayed at home if my mother had needed me? Or if Ridley had been scared to be on her own? I want to believe that I’d be that selfless, but I probably would have gone anyway.”
Their server returned then with her chicken salad and Nick’s club sandwich. He immediately took the bun off his sandwich and rearranged the way the lettuce and tomatoes were stacked. When he looked up, she was staring, so he said, “I don’t like too much lettuce.”
“I didn’t say anything,” she said with a smile. “I just never noticed that you’re almost as fussy about food as I am. Anyway, that was really nice of you, Nick. To stay in case your family needed you.”
He took a big bite of his sandwich and shrugged. It was weird to have her congratulating him for sticking around. That was what you did for family. Did she think that he’d just run out on her if she needed him?
“I was raised to believe that when you need help, your family is there. I’m not sure how much you know about Jackson’s story, but his late wife got pregnant while I was a senior in college. It took us all by surprise.”
He figured she had to know bits and pieces about Jackson’s life before he was widowed. Ridley had probably told her about the accident that had killed his first wife.
“I bet. What was she like?”
Nick considered his words very carefully. “Cynthia was a sweet girl. She was pretty quiet.”
Raina watched him take a sip of his drink. “It’s okay if you didn’t like her.”
Nick put his drink down. “I didn’t say I didn’t like her. She was really nice. Just perhaps not the best match for my brother.”
“You don’t have to mince words around me, Nick. I understand. Not everyone gets to have that picture-perfect movie love.”
Nick took her hand. “It’s not that rare. I see it in my parents, and Jackson has found his perfect match in Ridley.” He looked at her long enough that he hoped she could hear what he wasn’t saying.
And I have my perfect match in you.
She cleared her throat and looked away. “Anyway, I’m really glad Ridley has Jackson now. He and the boys are exactly what she needs. I worry about her sometimes.”
“Why? What happened?”
“Nothing. It’s just that Ridley’s been communicating with our father a lot lately. I worry that he’s using her soft nature to worm his way into her good graces. She’s planning to go visit him in Maryland soon.”
“You don’t want to go, too?” Nick asked.
“I wanted to meet him, but that doesn’t mean I trust him completely. Everybody seems to think I should just forgive and forget all those years he wasn’t around,” Raina snapped. Then she sighed. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to take it out on you. This topic just puts me on edge.”
Nick pushed his half-eaten sandwich aside. “I think you’re doing what’s best for you by being cautious. After all, what if he decides to up and disappear again? There’s nothing wrong with taking this slowly. He’s been gone this long, so surely he can wait until you’re ready to take the next step.”
Raina relaxed back into her seat. “Thank you. That’s pretty much how I feel about it, too.”
His phone vibrated in his pocket and Nick pulled back. “Sorry, I meant to turn this off.” He looked at the screen for a minute and then looked up at Raina. “We need to go. Now.”
He pushed his chair back and pulled out several twenty-dollar bills, tucking them under the salt shaker.
“Nick, what’s wrong?”
Raina stood and followed him down the sidewalk. He turned into a little corner store and walked to the checkout aisle. Where are they? Where are they? He didn’t read tabloids, but he knew they were usually sold right near the cashiers. He knelt down and grabbed one of the papers on the bottom row. The bold headline was easy to read.
FAMILY TROUBLE FOR LEGGY?
Nick handed the magazine to the cashier and a few minutes later they were outside on the sidewalk again. He flipped to the article and read it quickly.
“Whatever’s in there isn’t worth getting worked up about, Nick. Lies are what tabloids are known for.” Raina watched him with a sad smile. “I’m just sorry that you have to deal with it now, too. Was it something about me or you?”
He looked up at her. “No, it’s about my mom.”
Raina choked. “What?”
He ran his hands over his hair. “Apparently one of my mom’s friends sold a story to the press. They printed an email my mom wrote. I’m really sorry.”
“Well, it’s not her fault that one of her friends is a sellout.”
“It’s not that. The email was about you. Here.” He handed her the paper. She skimmed the article quickly.
- - - Family Trouble for Leggy? - - -
Sources close to the Alexander family share their worries about the marriage of Raina “Leggy” Winters to finance whiz kid, Nicholas Alexander. Nick’s mother, Julia, is quoted in an email to our source as saying:
“We didn’t hear anything from Nick, just some story on the Internet that he’s married some woman we barely know. I don’t know what to think! How do I know she didn’t kidnap my son?”
Sources also confirm that Raina is not only persona non grata with her new in-laws, but she’s not even on speaking terms with her own father! Leggy’s dad was reportedly distraught when she refused to meet with him earlier this month. The honeymoon seems to be over for Leggy already.
Raina handed the paper back. “It’s okay, Nick. I’m not upset.”
“You aren’t?” He peered at her closely. “I can understand if you are. I’m sure she didn’t mean it.”
She sighed. “Nick, the tabloids are a necessary evil in my life. But I chose this life. Your mom didn’t. She should be able to vent to a friend about her daughter-in-law. She didn’t even say anything that bad, just that she wasn’t sure what to think. Although the fact that she was worried about me kidnapping you is pretty ironic.”
Nick chuckled. “I’m glad you’re taking this so well. Because the text I got was from Bennett. Mom is pretty upset about this. I think we should go smooth things over.”
She slipped her hand in his. “Of course. When family needs you, you’re there. Let’s go.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
RAINA TRIED TO ignore the feeling of dread that settled in her stomach as they drove down the dirt road leading to the farm. He’d said his mother was upset, but was she mad at Raina for bringing the tabloids into their lives?
Would his family even be happy to see them?
“Nick, maybe you should go talk to everyone first.”
He looked at her in surprise. “Why would I do that?”
She looked at him in annoyance. “I’m sure they don’t want to see me right now, Nick. Their lives were peaceful before I brought all this tabloid garbage into the mix. I’m probably the last person they want to see right now. Especially your mom.”
He grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “I can guarantee you that no one is mad at you. My family adores you.”
“That was before. Now they have people stealing their emails and publishing their private thoughts. I know how invasive it is when it happens to you.”
“I know you do, sweetheart. That’s why you’re the best person to talk to them right now. You know what it’s like better than anyone else here. You can help the rest of us get through it. You’re an Alexander now and we stick together. So if it’s a problem for you, it’s a problem for us. None of us would have it any differently.”
He opened his door and climbed out. Raina followed reluctantly. The front door was open, so they walked through to the backyard. Bennett, Laura, and Nick’s parents stood at the railing, looking out onto the lawn.
“Hey, Dad. Mom. We came as soon as we heard,” Nick said.
His mother turned to face them and Raina sucked in a shoc
ked breath. Julia’s eyes were puffy and red. She was filled with anger and shame all over again. Someone like Julia only wanted to help people, to show kindness to her neighbors and her family. She had no defense against mean-spirited journalism. She shouldn’t have to guard herself against it, either.
“Mom, are you okay?” Nick asked.
She nodded then glanced over at Raina. “I’m fine.”
Raina’s heart sank. It had been a long time since she’d cared about what the tabloids printed about her. They were going to make up something to get their story no matter what she did, so she’d long ago learned to tune it out. What they did had simply ceased to matter in her world.
But it was totally different when people who’d been nothing but nice to her were being harassed. It mattered when the lies they spread hurt family. The Alexanders, she realized, weren’t just Nick’s family now.
They were hers, too.
“I have something I want to say.” Raina turned to the rest of the group.
Laura reached over and turned the music off. “I’ll just go supervise the kids so they stay out of the way.” She gave Raina a sympathetic smile and skipped down the steps into the yard.
It was suddenly extremely quiet.
“I want to apologize for the invasion of your privacy,” Raina said. “I’m so used to the tabloids that I don’t even think about them anymore, but I remember what it was like in the beginning. It was awful. I really wish this wasn’t happening.” She didn’t look at Nick as she said, “But perhaps if I go stay in my apartment in D.C. for a few months, it’ll help. Maybe they’ll focus on what I’m doing and not bother you if I’m not here.”
Nick’s head shot up and he looked like he was about to speak when his mother beat him to it.
“You shouldn’t have to exile yourself because of those miscreants.” Julia’s chest heaved as she stomped her foot. “They’re the ones in the wrong. We want you to stay right here with your family.”
Raina twisted her fingers together. “But I’m the one they’re targeting. You all didn’t ask for any of this. I’m going to have my security guy look into how they got their hands on that email. I’m sure some laws have been broken.”
Julia’s eyes suddenly filled with tears. “I wrote that before I ever met you, honey. I would never say that now. I think you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to Nick.”
Raina stepped forward and then shocked the hell out of both of them by pulling Julia into a hug. It probably looked as awkward as it felt, like she was trying out a skill she rarely used. She was so much taller than her mother-in-law, especially in the super-high heels she’d worn that day, so she ended up patting Julia on the back clumsily while looking down at her.
But the smile on her mother-in-law’s face was worth it.
Raina looked back at Nick and said, “I think he might be the best thing that ever happened to me, too. Partially because he comes attached to all of you.”
* * * * *
IT NEVER FAILED. Whenever he really needed to be somewhere, a client wanted to ask questions. No matter what else was going on in the world, this was the one rule that Nick could always count on.
“So, I’m thinking about buying more investment property. I was going to wait until next year when I have more cash on hand. But I heard that congress might not extend the current bonus depreciation after this year. Should I buy now?”
Nick cleared his throat and tried to focus on Ian Williamson, one of his oldest clients.
“Oh, look at the time. We’ve run over.”
Nick’s head snapped up. “Yes, we have, and unfortunately I really do need to run. My wife is having her first sonogram today,” he found himself saying. “We get to hear the heartbeat.”
Ian looked shocked. “Well, congratulations, Nick. As you know, I have four with the missus. There’s nothing like the first time you see your child. Go on. Go!”
Nick grabbed his briefcase and shot out the door, yelling over his shoulder for Kay to put Mr. Williamson down again for next week.
Too impatient to wait for the elevator, he bounded down the five flights of stairs to the lobby and then another flight to the underground parking deck.
By the time he pulled up to New Haven General, he was pretty sure he’d broken several traffic laws. He pulled around to the side of the hospital where the medical offices were located. Not finding a space close to the door, he parked at the back of the lot and jogged up the path. He entered and walked straight up to the reception desk.
“Hi. My wife, Raina, is here and I’m late.”
The nurse behind the desk smiled knowingly. “She asked us to keep a lookout for you, Mr. Alexander. She only went back five minutes ago.”
He followed the nurse through another door and down a long hallway. She stopped at a room on the right and knocked briskly. He heard Raina’s voice call out, “Come in.”
The nurse opened the door and ushered him inside.
“Nick!” Raina stood as soon as he entered. “You made it. I thought you weren’t going to get here in time.” She had already undressed and wore a light blue hospital gown. He kissed her lightly on the cheek.
“I’m so sorry, sweets. I was in the middle of a client meeting. I was on the verge of running out. Luckily, this guy has four kids of his own so he seemed to understand.”
Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. Her pregnancy was already obvious in the glow of her skin and the flush on her cheeks.
“I’m just glad you’re here. I’m waiting on the doctor now. I already filled out my paperwork and the nurses weighed me.”
He sat in one of the uncomfortable blue chairs next to the utilitarian gray desk in the corner. Raina sat back on the paper-lined exam table. It was stark and slightly scary to be in such a medicinal environment.
Raina has to do this all the time?
Nick couldn’t imagine having to come here on a regular basis, but Raina had already been once to confirm pregnancy. Now they would get to see the baby and hear the heartbeat.
There was another brief knock before the door opened. An older woman with salt-and-pepper hair stepped through the door.
“Ms. Winters, good to see you again.”
Raina waved. “Hi, Dr. Waters. This is my husband, Nick.”
The doctor shook his hand. “Hello, Mr. Alexander. Glad you could join us this time.” She read over Raina’s chart and then asked, “Any problems I should be aware of?”
“I’m just throwing up a lot. When is this part going to be over?”
“Usually it’ll stop before the second trimester. Hopefully, sooner. If it becomes severe and persistent then we’ll need to address it. But hopefully it won’t come to that.”
She pulled out a small machine and positioned it next to Raina. “Now it’s time for the good stuff. We get to do another ultrasound so you can hear your baby’s heartbeat. I’ll also measure the baby to make sure he or she is growing properly.”
Nick rubbed his hands together. While the doctor moved around the room gathering equipment, he leaned over and took Raina’s hand.
“She can’t tell whether it’s a boy or a girl yet, right?”
Raina shook her head. “Not yet. We have to wait until I’m twenty weeks along for that.”
“You don’t have a preference, do you? Because I should probably warn you, Alexander men mainly shoot Y chromosomes.”
Raina put a hand over her stomach. “I don’t care about that. I’ll love them either way. And they’ll love me right back.” She said the last part so softly he wondered if she’d meant to say it at all.
The doctor came back to them with a large wand. “Now don’t be alarmed, Mr. Alexander. Since your wife isn’t that far along, we have to use a probe.”
“A transvaginal ultrasound, right?” Nick supplied.
Dr. Waters looked impressed. “Very good. Not many fathers are that well informed.”
He gave himself a mental pat on the back. “I’ve been reading this book about pregnan
cy.”
Raina shot him a wry glance. “He probably knows more about it than I do.”
“Okay, just lie back and try to relax, Raina.”
Nick moved up closer to Raina’s head. Her eyes latched on to his. He could hear movement below, but he kept his eyes on hers. She flinched, then he heard the doctor tapping away at the keyboard of the machine she was staring at.
“Okay, I’m measuring the fetus. Growth is on target. Now, just a second and we’ll let you hear the heartbeat.”
There was a pause and then the room was filled with a loud whooshing sound. Nick felt his own heart rate jump in response.
“That’s our baby?” he whispered to Raina.
She nodded and a tear slipped down her cheek. “Listen to him! It’s so fast.”
“It does sound really fast. Is that normal?” He turned and repeated the question to Dr. Waters.
“It’s a beautiful heart rate. It’s normal for it to sound fast like a horse’s gallop.”
Raina looked at the screen. There wasn’t much to see, just a few white shaded areas and a small blob in the center.
“There’s my little jelly bean,” she said.
Dr. Waters hit a few keys and then handed them a strip of black and white pictures. “Here are some photos for your scrapbook.”
Nick peered at the photo. There was a small circle around the blob in the middle so he assumed that was the baby.
“Now, do you two have any questions for me?”
Nick looked up. “I do. Is there anything that we should avoid? Like sex, for example?”
Raina winced. “Nick!”
Dr. Waters held up a hand. “The most common question I get about pregnancy is whether sex is safe. In your case, Raina, your difficulty in getting pregnant was due to the blockage in your fallopian tubes. Now that you are pregnant, I fully expect you to have a completely normal pregnancy and delivery. Which means that sexual activity is perfectly safe.”
Nick leaned forward. “The book said no deep penetration though—”
“Nick! She said it was safe.” Raina’s cheeks flushed bright red.