Always A Bride

by Henderson, Darlene

  “You’re a doctor. For goodness sake, Harvey. I shouldn’t have to explain that to you,” Alex raised her voice and moved farther away.

  “I mean, I don’t remember the night we…that I…well the night it happened.”

  “What are you saying, Harvey?” Alex rolled her eyes. “Are you sure she’s really pregnant and isn’t just saying so to trap you? You know that what Molly wants, Molly, by gosh, is going to get.”

  Harvey looked around the room nervously. Alex was getting louder and he was afraid people would notice. “I did the blood test myself. She’s pregnant.”

  “And I am supposed to believe that you don’t remember having sex with her?”

  “I don’t. We had gone to a party. Molly’s dad let us use the limo that night so I had a drink or two.” Harvey took another long drink.

  “So she got you drunk and took advantage of you?” Alex shook her head and turned away from him.

  “We had some champagne in the limo. She invited me in when we got to her apartment. I remember going in, sitting on the couch and having another drink. The next thing I knew I was waking up in her bed.”

  “And then she was pregnant?”

  “Yes.”

  “Harvey, honey, did it ever occur to you that the baby might not be yours?” Alex’s voice held a hint of amusement. While that annoyed Harvey a bit, it was better than her hurt and anger.

  “She wasn’t seeing anyone else. So yes, I assumed the baby is mine.”

  “Did you ask about paternity testing? You should know about that sort of thing.”

  “I did ask her about testing, and she flew into such a rage and was so upset I was afraid she'd hurt herself or the baby. I've done an ultrasound myself and, based on how far along she is, the timing is right. I think it's a boy but it was too soon to tell."

  “Are you sure she wasn’t seeing anyone else? Did you go out with her on nights when there weren’t events? Talk to her every day? Even once a week?” Alex asked.

  “Well no, but she went to all of those events with me and…well…I guess I don’t know.”

  “So she’s pregnant. I can understand you don’t want her to be embarrassed. But you can still be a good father to her baby without marrying Molly and living in a loveless marriage.”

  “It would destroy her reputation. Besides, her dad threatened to ruin me. Molly was hysterical. I really was afraid for the baby's well-being. I've seen stress induced miscarriages. I didn't know what else to do. We’re pushing things now anyway. It's going to be obvious she is pregnant before the wedding.”

  “Harvey, get a grip. This is the twenty-first century. Single women have children every day. They aren’t social outcasts. You've fallen into her little trap, hook, line and sinker.”

  “It’s more complicated than that. Besides the threats, Molly’s dad bought everything in my office. He wanted to make sure we got off to a good start. I owe him. I even signed a note. If I hurt Molly and embarrass their family, he can call the balloon payment due anytime.”

  “Oh, Harvey! You’ve let yourself be taken hostage.” Alex reached into her purse and brought out her phone.

  "What are you doing?"

  "Calling a cab. I don't know what I'm doing here at this point."

  “I’m sorry, Alex. Please don't go.” Harvey hung his head. The weight that had been lifted was back.

  Why didn't I talk to someone else before things got this far? Molly already wants to expand the practice. If I let her have her way, I'll just get deeper and deeper in debt to her dad.

  Alex dropped her phone back into her purse. “Harvey, I just don't know what to think or feel right now. We've both kept our problems from each other when we should have been sharing everything all along. That's what people do when they love each other. But right now I'm hurt and angry. I just need some time to process this."

  "I guess I've just ruined everything." Harvey covered his face with his hand.

  Alex moved closer to him. When her hand brushed lightly across his hair, then stroked it, he knew he had reached her heart.

  “No you haven’t, honey.” Alex took his hands. “I love you even more for being so honorable.”

  “You love me? After all this? I was such a fool to let you slip away. So what should we do? I can’t just bail on Molly. I’ve made a commitment. And I have people working for me at the practice. I can’t blow things for them.”

  “Harvey, are you serious about us being together?”

  “Alex, I have never been more serious about anything in my life. I may not be able to remember one night with Molly, but every moment I’ve shared with you is etched in my memory and on my heart. I love you, and we have wasted way too much time being apart. I don’t want to go another day without you.”

  “Then the issue with Molly’s dad is a non-issue. I can’t buy out his investment in your business, but whatever you owe him we can get refinanced. I have invested well and have an excellent relationship with my banker, and there is plenty of equity in that New York City condo I’m not going to need any more.”

  “I can’t take your money.”

  “That’s not what I’m saying. I have sufficient capital. I can co-sign on a loan for you to pay off Mr. Cohen. Then you are only obligated to the bank. Get your financial information together and we’ll talk to them as soon as possible.”

  Harvey hopes began to rise. “But what about Molly and the baby?”

  “Let’s make sure it’s your baby to worry about.”

  “She's almost far enough along that we can have a test done. It's a little on the pricey side since it's prenatal, but it can be done. However, I don’t know if Molly will agree to any more tests.”

  “Let’s wait and see what happens before we get to that point.”

  “Thanks for believing in me, Alex.”

  “I always have, Harvey. I do love you and admire your honor. That’s one of your few faults, sweetie. You think everyone else behaves as honorably as you do and that's what got you into this mess. You know Molly has that mini-reunion planned for tomorrow night? I think everything may come to a head then.”

  Harvey was puzzled. “What mini-reunion?”

  “She acted like you knew about it. The old gang is getting back together for drinks and dinner at the country club.”

  “She didn’t say anything to me about it. What in the heck is she up to this time?” Harvey’s phone vibrated with a text message. “Speak of the devil.” Looking at the phone, he read the message aloud. “Call me ASAP.”

  “Do you think someone saw us together and told her?” The pitch of Alex’s voice grew much higher.

  “I can't just ignore her, though. What if something's wrong with the baby?" Harvey typed on the keyboard. “Making sure she's okay and telling her I'll call her later.”

  “About the reunion thing, she told me the two of you have some news to share.”

  “Do you think she’s planning on telling everyone we’re going to have a baby?’

  “I don’t know, Harvey. If I had any idea of what was going on in that head of hers I'd probably be as crazy as she is. I am sick to death of talking about Molly. We've come all the way into to town, we've got a nice dinner here, can we just try to enjoy it and worry about Molly again tomorrow?”

  “Okay.” He lifted his glass. “Here’s to fresh starts and new beginnings.”

  “I will drink to that.” Alex took a sip of her wine.

  The rest of the dinner was quiet. There were several long, silent pauses. Harvey was pondering the future and presumed Alex was too. As they were finishing their dinner, Alex got a text.

  “Who was that?” Harvey asked.

  “Allison. She asked if we could stop by the hotel to see Josh. He might not be able to join us tomorrow night and he wants to say hello. Do you mind?”

  “Do we have to? Can’t you go back after I drop you off at home?”

  “Harvey Mitchell, are you kidding me?”

  “You know Josh and I never got along.”

>   “You just need to take the time to get to know him better. Ben is going to come by too. Josh will take his break, and then maybe we can have a cup of coffee in the coffee shop.”

  “Okay, one cup of coffee.”

  “Deal. Let’s go.”

  Harvey helped Alex out of their booth and held her hand as they left the restaurant. Outside, he pulled Alex close and kissed her quickly, but passionately.

  He was moving away when someone cleared their throat. “Dr. Mitchell?”

  Harvey cringed. He recognized the voice. Nikki. She worked at the nursing home and was friends with Molly.

  The situation with Molly might not wait until tomorrow night to come to a head.

  He squared his shoulders and turned. “Hi, Nikki.”

  “Hi, Dr. Mitchell. I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

  “The food is great, enjoy it. See you tomorrow.”

  Over Nikki’s shoulder, Alex was discreetly heading for the car. He was grateful she thought to make herself scarce before the situation became any more awkward.

  “I’ve got to run.”

  Harvey turned and looked for Alex, but she was nowhere in sight. He frantically scanned the parking lot. After a moment of panic, thinking she may have left, he spotted her looking at a movie poster at the theater next door to the restaurant.

  He unlocked the car and waited for her to join him. When she climbed in, he said, “Nikki is probably on the phone with Molly right now. I may have to talk to Molly tonight. She is going to want to know who I was with and I why I couldn't have dinner with her. She's going to be totally ticked off.”

  “Maybe it's just better to get it done and over with and we can all get on with life.”

  “Alex, I don’t want to hurt Molly and I have to think about the baby.”

  “ Molly will be okay and I know you will make sure the baby is too. Let’s just go see Josh and Ben.” Alex leaned back in her seat and took a deep breath.

  Chapter Four

  Alex didn’t want Molly to be hurt either, but the woman had gotten herself into this mess. She was overcome with conflicting emotions. There was hope she and Harvey could have a future. But the hope was overshadowed by anger, hurt and betrayal. Harvey was too smart to have gotten himself in this situation.

  Is it right to come back to town after all this time and steal Harvey away from Molly? If she’s tricked Harvey and is taking advantage of him, then I’m not stealing him.

  The drive to the hotel was even more quiet than the drive to the restaurant. Harvey seemed anxious. He drove as if he were afraid someone was following him. He frequently checked the rearview mirror. His knuckles were white from his grip on the steering wheel.

  Alex didn't try to make small talk. She was caught up in her own thoughts. Was this what she really wanted? Did she want to give up the modeling, the exotic locations, the apartment in New York? Was living in her tiny hometown going to be enough? Then she looked at Harvey and knew whatever it took to be with him was exactly what she wanted.

  When they pulled up at the hotel, Harvey searched for a parking place. “That looks like Molly’s car.”

  “Does it? Does she still have the princess license plate? That would make her car easy enough to identify.”

  “She does." Harvey snapped and glared at Alex. "Is that why we’re here?”

  She shook her head in confusion. Harvey found his pregnant fiancée parked at a hotel where there was no logical reason for her to be. If he was going to be mad at anyone, it should be Molly. “Yes, Harvey. You need to see for yourself what's going on here. Molly has apparently been coming here for months. If I or Josh told you, you wouldn’t believe us.”

  “But maybe she’s…or…they…I mean…” Harvey stammered, clearly frustrated. Even if he wasn't in love with Molly, it must hurt him to see such a deception. “Maybe someone is using her car.”

  “Then call. Say that you want to see her right now. Say it can’t wait until later and we’ll see. If she comes out of one of those rooms, then you’ll know.”

  “Let’s go see Ben and Josh. I guess they are in on this little scheme?”

  “This is not a plot against you, Harvey. We don’t want to see you taken advantage of by Molly.” Alex reached out to touch his arm.

  Harvey moved just beyond her touch, reaching for the door handle. “This is just all too much.”

  “Come on in. We’ll get that cup of coffee and we can sort this out.”

  “Alex, we can’t start off our lives together like this. Not with anger and confrontation. Let me give Molly the chance to explain.”

  “Okay.” Alex tried to make sense of what was happening. Harvey talked as if he wanted to work out his relationship with Molly.

  “Let’s go see the guys. I haven’t hung out with Ben in a long time and it will be good to see him.”

  “Harvey?” Alex said, still sitting with the seatbelt firmly in place.

  Halfway out of the car, Harvey stopped. He sighed deeply. “Yes?”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Me too. About everything.”

  He stepped out of the car and slammed the door.

  Alex wasn’t sure exactly why she apologized or even why Harvey was mad. The apology just seemed the right thing to do. She blinked hard to hold back the tears stinging her eyes and took a moment to compose herself, looking in the mirror to make sure her make-up hadn't run. She combed her fingers through her hair and touched up her lipstick. She might feel like she was falling apart but, darn it, she could look good. She grabbed the door handle. Harvey opened the door before she could, took her hand and helped her out. He was close to the car and, when she stood, his breath warmed her skin.

  “Oh Harvey, I…”

  “Hush. I love you, Alex. I just have to deal with this my way.” His lips covered hers.

  Alex braced herself against the car and returned Harvey's kiss. His body pressed into hers. He wound one of his hands into her hair, pulling her deeper into his kiss. With his other hand he sought out every inch of bare skin he could find. When his fingers grazed her leg just below the hem of her skirt, she quivered in excitement. While she wanted to give in to her desire, this wasn’t the time or place. She mustered her strength, placed a hand on Harvey’s chest and tried to push him away. The pounding of his heart beat in unison with hers. His lips moved to her throat.

  She tilted her head back and moaned. “Ohhh...Ha—”

  Someone screamed from across the parking lot.

  “Oh no.” Harvey pulled Alex to him and kissed her hard and fast. “I love you. Go inside. Go to the bar and have a drink with Ben. Let me handle this.”

  Harvey released her and Alex did as he had asked.

  She didn’t have to look to know Molly was storming across the parking lot. Her screams let everyone in earshot know she was coming and she was not happy.

  “Come back here,” she shrieked. “Don’t run away from me. What do you think you’re doing with my fiancé?”

  Alex didn’t look back.

  “Molly, what, exactly, are you doing here?” Harvey demanded.

  Inside the lobby of the motel, Ben greeted Alex with a hug. "Hey, you look great."

  “Thanks, Ben. You look pretty great yourself.” His dark hair was cut short and neat. The short-sleeved shirt he wore made it evident Ben had been working out. Alex couldn't help but wonder how he was still single.

  “Where’s Harvey?”

  “Out there.” Alex turned and pointed toward the parking lot. “Life must be treating you well.”

  “Yeah. My band just got our first recording contract. We’re playing all over town and traveling a bit too. It’s all going great. What’s Harvey doing out there? It sounds like somebody lost it.”

  “That would be Molly and she has,” Alex responded.

  “What the heck?” Josh came from around the counter. “Do I need to call security?”

  “No, I think Harvey will calm her down,” Alex answered.

  The gold jacket wit
h the Fairmont logo on it looked good on Josh. It fit perfectly, and she knew Josh well enough to know he'd probably had it tailored. Josh had always been too cute for his own good. His good-looks and charm had probably gotten him out of as much trouble as they got him into over the years. His brown hair was carefully tousled. But it was the infectious smile lighting up Josh's face that gave him something special.

  Ben stood at the plate glass window, reporting to Alex and Josh what was happening in the parking lot. “They are getting in Harvey’s car.”

  “Harvey said we should have a beer. I think I need one,” Alex said.

  “You two go on,” Josh said, “I’ll call in my relief and join you.” Josh went around the front desk and picked up the phone.

  Ben continued standing at the window. “But we might miss something.”

  “No, Ben. Harvey has this under control. Let’s drink. First round on me.”

  “I’m off work as soon as my relief is here, and I’m up for a drink.” Josh smiled, taking off his jacket. A young woman dressed in the female version of Josh's uniform stepped behind the desk. “And there's my relief now. Let's go.”

  Ben, Josh, and Alex headed to the bar. The bartender seemed happy to see them as the bar was otherwise empty. They each ordered a beer and settled in to get caught up. They choose one of the small round tables near a window. Ben and Josh swiveled in the black vinyl chairs and, just like they would have in high school, laughed when the vinyl squeaked.

  After about fifteen minutes, Alex's cell phone buzzed on the table. Looking at the phone display, she said, “’Scuse me guys. It's Harvey. Hello?"

  Harvey's voice was husky when he asked, “Honey, can you get Ben to drive you home?”

  “Yes, but why? Do I hear crying?” Alex didn’t like the sound of this.

  “It’s okay, Alex. Molly and I are having a good talk and everything is okay.”

  “Okay with her or okay with us? Who is it okay with, Harvey? What are you talking about?”

  “Alex, honey, now is not the time. Just trust me.”

  “I can definitely get one of these guys to drive me home. I can count on them.” Alex flipped the phone closed without saying good-bye.