“What’s wrong?” he asked, fighting to keep the fear from his voice.
A tear fell from her face, “I’m not sure. I think it’s the baby.” She held her hands low on her abdomen and winced in pain. “My whole belly is tightening up and I feel like I have to push.”
“You’re only six months pregnant, Sherry, you can’t push. Stay calm, and we’ll get to a doctor right away.” Richard kissed her forehead gently as he buzzed for the attendant.
The flight attendant entered the cabin, “Is everything okay?”
“No. No, it’s not. Something’s happening with the baby, with Sherry. We have to land.”
The flight attendant hurried to the cockpit to relay the news.
Richard stroked Sherry’s hand and comforted her as best he could. She grew listless and seemed disoriented, one time asking him “But what about the beautiful lunch?” Richard couldn’t tell if she was serious or joking.
He clicked her seat belt and held her head against his chest. “It’s okay. Everything is okay.”
Chapter 10
Sherry awoke to the sound of a fetal monitor and the beeping of the blood pressure machine. Richard was curled up in a chair beside her bed, sleeping.
She lay still, trying to feel the baby, then looked up at the fetal monitor. Still beating. Outside, in the hallway, she could see the nurses and the doctor talking to an older woman. The woman was waving her hands angrily, and finally the doctors relented and stepped away from the door.
Mrs. Black walked into the room, her eyes worried and her makeup perfect. A young doctor followed behind her.
“Is the baby okay?” Sherry asked.
“The baby’s fine, they said, just some pre-term labor and a little dehydration,” the doctor said, as Richard stirred awake.
“So, how long are they going to keep you?” Mrs. Black asked.
“Until her fluids are up and the baby’s heart rate is stable, maybe overnight,” Richard said. “You can go, mother. I’ll take care of things here.”
Mrs. Black gave Sherry one last long look, then left the room. The doctor made a few notes on a clipboard, and followed her out the door.
Richard turned back to Sherry, but she was fast asleep again, the monitors humming behind her. Richard leaned in and kissed her, lightly, on her forehead. He laid out the blanket and pillow on the chair in the corner of the room, and made himself as comfortable as he could.
***
The morning after Sherry returned home from the hospital, Marlene arrived at Sherry’s bedroom door with a breakfast tray. She set it next to her, then walked to the other side of the room and scrolled on her smartphone.
Sherry situated herself up in the bed, propping herself on the pillows. “How’s the weather out there?” she asked.
Marlene didn’t answer.
“Marlene,” Sherry said, a little bit louder this time.
“What?” Marlene asked, looking startled.
“I said, how is the weather outside?” Sherry repeated, adding a teaspoon of sugar to her tea.
“Oh, it’s a little chilly today. They say it might rain later.”
“Oh, I guess I’ll just stay here then,” Sherry said.
“Well, you don’t have a choice”, Marlene said, without looking up from her phone.
“I know. It was a joke.”
Marlene put down her phone, shook her head, and walked closer to Sherry’s bedside. “I’m sorry. I’m distracted.”
“It’s okay, I’m just trying to make the best of things.” Sherry smiled. “You don’t have to stay and watch me eat breakfast. I can call you if I need something.”
“I have strict orders from Richard to stay by your side”, Marlene explained.
“You really respect him don’t you?” Sherry asked.
“Of course, he’s my boss.”
“Can I ask you something personal?” Sherry asked.
Marlene shifted her stance a bit. “Uh, I guess.”
“Did you and Richard ever date each other?”
Marlene looked down at her feet and quickly answered, “No.”
Seeing how uneasy Marlene was with the conversation, she decided not to pry any more.
“Sherry, for a long time now, Richard has only had eyes for you. You should know that.” Marlene explained.
“Well, it hasn’t been that long”, Sherry answered.
“Yes, well even back when you were—” Marlene stopped short.
“Back when?” Sherry wanted her to continue.
Marlene started gathering Sherry’s plates. “Let me get these things out of your way,” she said as she hurried out of the room.
“Marlene, back when we were what?” Sherry pleaded.
“Nothing. Never mind.” Marlene rushed out of the room, nearly dropping the tray.
In the kitchen, Marlene slammed the tray down on the counter, spilling its contents.
“What’s the matter with you?” demanded Evelyn, looking up from her mid-afternoon wine.
“I can’t do this anymore. I can’t wait on her hand and foot, knowing what I know.” Marlene wiped her forehead with her arm.
“Relax. You don’t have to reveal anything. Just bring her meals and help her up to use the bathroom.”
“But I can’t keep it a secret any longer. When can I have my chance, the one you promised me?”
“Well, you’ll just have to, or we’ll find a replacement for you, too.” Evelyn walked away, leaving Marlene to clean up the dishes and the mess.
Chapter 11
“So how long have you worked for the Blacks?” The young man lit his cigarette, then offered the flame to Marlene.
“Oh, as long as I can remember. Like, since high school.” Marlene took a long, hard drag on the cigarette, blowing the smoke in circles above her head. The smoke rings glowed in the light of the smoky bar. “I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?”
The dishwasher boy sat and watched as if it were the first time he had seen such a thing. He had been working at the Black estate for only a few months, but he had recognized Marlene immediately.
“Dave. My name’s Dave.” He sipped his bottled beer and looked around the bar.
Marlene swigged the last of her scotch and soda and pushed the glass to the edge, signaling for more.
“So you must like them, the Blacks, I mean, to work for them for that long.”
“It’s a job. You get used to it. And besides, I know things.”
“Yeah? What kind of things?”
Her second drink arrived and she could feel herself loosening up. She had found an interested ear, and she needed to vent. And if the story got out, well, would that be so bad?
No, it wouldn’t be so bad, Marlene thought. It would be my chance.
Marlene looked at him over the rim of her glass, raising her eyebrows.
“For starters, Richard and Sherry don’t remember ever making that baby she’s carrying.”
“WHAT?” Dave exclaimed.
“Nope. They don’t even remember being married. But they were. Yup, they were married and got pregnant and boom—we changed all of that.” Marlene snapped her fingers and spilled some of her drink on her lap.
“What do you have, a magic wand?” Dave laughed.
“It’s not magic. The brain is an amazing place, ruled by chemistry and electricity.” She leaned in close to Dave’s face and whispered loudly, “You can’t imagine the things the right drugs—and needles—can do.”
“Shut up. That kind of stuff only happens in movies!” Dave raised his beer and watched her from the corner of his eye. She was getting pretty drunk, and he wondered how much of this crazy story he could believe. Then he decided he didn’t care, and raised a finger for the bartender to bring her another drink.
Marlene was shaking her head back and forth and wagging her finger at him. “Oh no, no no. It’s real and we did it. We wiped out their memories and they have no idea they were even married.”
“Then how did they end up pregnant
?”
“Well, we didn’t know she was already pregnant when we did it. So, that was a bit of a hiccup.” Marlene laughed loudly and threw back what was left at the bottom of her glass. She slammed it on the bar, then reached for a fresh one.
“So Dave,” she said, leaning forward with a sly grin. “Buy me another drink, and maybe I’ll let you in on a few more secrets.”
***
Back at the house, Sherry lay in bed, writing busily in her journal. Her entries had changed over the last few weeks from desperation and confusion to sincere feelings and optimism.
I can’t believe this man who demanded I move here is starting to touch my heart. I still can’t believe that I’m going to give birth with him by my side. All this time, I was preparing myself to be an independent single mother and now, I’ve found the man of my dreams. I’m living a pampered life and my world is a fairytale. Every day, when I wake up, things just get better and better. I feel like I’m the luckiest girl in the world.
Richard entered the room and she slid her pen in the page, tucking the book beneath her pillow. She wasn’t quite ready to tell him all of these things, she had been hurt before. She would much rather have him profess his lover for her and follow his lead. She felt safer that way. Besides, she was already in pretty deep, carrying his child, the rest she would have to take as slow as possible.
“How are you feeling?” Richard asked. He had a way of asking a question that made Sherry feel like he really and truly wanted to know the answer. It was a trait she loved about him and not something she would have ever expected, based on his television persona. He was so much more than the man she had seen in magazines. He sat beside her, leaning in, waiting for her answer.
“I’m fine. Just a little stir-crazy, that’s all. Something strange happened earlier with Marlene and she ended up storming out of here. I don’t know what I said.”
“I’m sure you didn’t say anything. That’s just Marlene.”
“No, she started to say something and caught herself. It’s like she knows something that I don’t. She knows something about us.”
“Look, Marlene has worked for me for many years, she knows a lot of things,” Richard explained.
“I know, I know. But, it was more than that. It was like she knew something about my past and when she started to tell me, she caught herself.” Sherry leaned back on the pillows and rested her arms above her head. “It’s like there’s this whole block of time that I don’t remember. Do you ever feel that way?”
Richard leaned back on the bed next to her and brushed the hair away from her face. “No. I can’t remember anything before you,” he whispered.
“Oh, stop.”
“I’m serious. When I’m with you, I forget about everything and everyone. Time stands still when I’m with you.”
“That’s what I’m saying. It’s like time stood still. It’s like I woke up one day and I was pregnant and alone and …”
“And then you found me, and everything was right with the world,” he interrupted.
***
Dave carried Marlene to the cab and slid her into the backseat. He slow-jogged around the back of the car and climbed in next to her. Unsure of Marlene’s address, he instructed the driver to take them to Richard’s estate. Once there, Dave sent a text to the kitchen crew and instructed them to send a golf cart out for Marlene. Once inside, Dave and the staff assisted Marlene to a vacant room on the guest wing.
Dave carefully lowered her onto the bed, and Marlene turned to him and slurred, “Thank you Davie, I love you.” Dave laughed and left the room slowly, closing the door. Marlene had introduced herself only a few weeks ago, giving the appearance that she was so in control, but give the girl a few drinks and she falls apart.
Dave headed for the kitchen staff area, deciding to just spend the rest of the night there instead of going home. He had to work in the morning, so he may as well save the trip. As he walked through the large room, he saw the glow of the open refrigerator. Richard Black stood with the door in his hand, rummaging through the packed shelves.
“Hello,” Richard said, turning at the sound of Dave’s steps. “Who are you?”
“Why are you still here? It’s well past midnight.”
“I was just heading out. I, uh, had to escort Marlene here. She and I went out for a few drinks and …”
“She forgot her own name.”
“How did you know?”
“I’ve had drinks with Marlene, I know how she gets.”
“She’s in pretty bad shape. We tucked her in the guest room for the night.”
“Good stuff. I appreciate your help, Dave.”
“Absolutely, sir.”
“And, Dave, one more thing.”
“What’s that sir?”
“No more drinks with Marlene,” Richard said.
Dave nodded and continued walking.
Dave was quite sure he wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation of taking Marlene for drinks again. He chuckled at the thought of pumping her for more information, but hopefully not needing to her clean her up, again. He was thrilled that tomorrow when he arrived for work, he’d have an advantage. He had something over her and was not afraid to use it He’d been harboring a little resentment ever since their first encounter and was looking forward to cracking the code of what made Marlene tick.
Chapter 12
Richard headed back to Sherry’s bedroom. He carefully balanced the breakfast tray, complete with pickles, ice cream and a bowl of potato chips. He was surprisingly good at taking care of a woman and her pregnancy cravings, and was enjoying it, too.
When he arrived at the bedroom, Sherry was fast asleep. He shook his head and placed the tray on the nightstand. He sat in the chair beside the bed and helped himself to a pickle while he waited for Sherry’s eyes to open. He watched her sleeping and imagined their little one already here. He imagined what it would be like to hold their baby as his woman slept in his bed. For years, it was something he had secretly dreamed about, as no one would believe that America’s richest and most handsome bachelor longed for the family life. But why should he be any different? Why shouldn’t he, too, long for love? He was human.
Though sometimes he felt super-human, like every woman he met was either intimidated by him or wanted something from him. Sherry wasn’t like any of them.
In the short amount of time they had spent together, Sherry had found her way into Richard’s heart, and he liked having her there. This was a welcome change to Richard, and very different from the way he had felt about the other women he had dated. Usually, he had only been interested in having a young beautiful girl on his arm for the sake of the cameras and the paparazzi. He did not want to get too close to anyone, and he had been playing the part of popular bachelor quite well.
That is, until Sherry entered his life.
Sherry started to stir and squinted at Richard. She stretched her arms and pulled herself up in the bed. “Oh my goodness. I fell asleep.”
“I ate your pickle,” Richard laughed. “But you can have this one.”
Sherry wiped her eyes and tried to wake herself up. “Did I ask you for pickles?” Sherry was still groggy and a little confused.
“Well, you didn’t ask for pickles. But, I noticed you’ve been eating them every night, so I thought I’d surprise you. Surprise!”
They both laughed as Sherry leaned over to dip her pickle into the melting ice cream.
“That is just gross.” Richard shook his head and feigned disgust.
“Oh, you don’t know what you’re missing.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” he smiled.
Sherry finished her snack and watched as Richard placed the tray by the door. He climbed in next to her in bed, and Sherry placed his hand on her belly.
“She’s jumping everywhere. She loves when I eat!”
Richard’s eyes lit up at the idea of tiny arms and legs moving around inside her belly. “You’re going to run out of room in there,�
� he joked.
“I know, and I still have a long way to go” Sherry yawned and stretched as she tried to get comfortable on her side of the bed. Richard watched her body relax as she fell asleep. He was glad to see her feeling so much better.
“Do I have to use the baby nurse?” she said in a sleepy voice, with her eyes closed. Richard wasn’t sure if she was half-asleep or really having a conversation with him.
Carrying the Billionaire's Baby: A Clean BWWM Billionaire Romance (The Billionaire Baby Mystery Book 1) Page 5