Jasmine wrapped her legs around him and closed her eyes. She wished they could live in that moment forever. She missed having him inside her, filling her until there was nothing left. Jasmine felt the urgency of every thrust, and understood what he needed from her. She gripped him tight, as he took everything.
“Drew.”
“Yes.”
She could have told him about the baby then, but decided not to.
“I love you.”
“I love you too... Don't ever leave me Jasmine.”
“I won't.”
“Tell me you promise.”
“I promise!”
Jasmine felt herself flow onto him as weeks of build up poured out of her.
Soon after, Drew released inside her. It was the second time they made love, but the first time he wasn't afraid to admit it.
The next day, Drew awaken early to get a morning run in.
“Jaz.”
“Hmm.”
“I'm going for a run, I'll be back in an hour or so.”
“Okay.”
“Drew kissed her forehead and left.
∞
Jasmine awakened shortly after, she couldn't sleep knowing he was gone. In the bathroom mirror she stared at her stomach, before heading downstairs to the kitchen. Sitting at the table with a cup of coffee, she took one sip then looked at the cup. Would coffee harm the baby? Jasmine pushed it away and sighed. For the next nine months, she would have to watch what she put in her body.
Jasmine could hear her mother's voice scolding and judging her, but that was the least of her concerns. She had to figure out a way to tell Drew. She thought about an intimate dinner, but Jasmine didn't feel like going out. Her only other option was cooking.
She walked over to the freezer and decided on the pork loin, remembering a recipe from online. After placing the meat in the sink, she went to get her phone. Jasmine started up the stairs, then notice the door to Drew's office was open. Turning around, she walked in and figured she could use his computer.
Behind the desk she moved the mouse, bringing the screen out of sleep mode. When the screen prompted her for the password, she started to leave. Two folders on the desk, caught her attention. One with her name and the other with her mother's. Jasmine picked hers up and opened it. Her entire life was inside.
“What the hell!”
She picked up her mother's folder and found the same thing. Her eyes stared at the yellow envelope on the desk. She wasn't sure if it pertained to her, but she opened it too. Jasmine pulled the papers out and read the contents.
She had no idea what she was looking at. She saw the letters DNA, and slid the paper back inside. She opened the top drawer to the desk, searching for whatever else she could find. Jasmine found Drew's prescription pill bottle and read the label.
“Migraines huh. You're gonna needs those.”
She tossed them back inside and continued to raid the desk. Her hands stumbled upon a stack of pictures, wrapped in a rubber-band. She removed it and examined them. Jasmine brought the pictures closer and covered her mouth. There was a woman in them, that looked just like her.
Jasmine found a picture with the woman and Drew together. He looked younger. She became light-headed, the hairs on the back of her neck stood.
“Jasmine! What are you doing?”
Her head snapped up. “Who is this? And why do you have a file on me and my mom?” Her voice trembled as she held up the photos.
Drew stepped further inside the office. “Let me explain.”
“Yes I think you should.”
“I know you're pissed and you have every right to be. There's so much I wanted to tell you, but I didn't know how. Or if I should, especially after meeting Mrs. Williams.”
“What does my mom have to do with this?”
Drew remained quiet.
“Answer me Drew!”
“She's not your mother.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Diane Williams, is not your mother. Sharon Baxter is your real mother's name. She gave birth to a set of twins, in the hospital where Diane Williams worked. They thought you were stillborn, but they were wrong. Somehow Diane stole you and raised you as her own child.”
“No! You're crazy!” Jasmine's eyes filled with tears.
“I'm not, it's all there. You had an identical twin sister.” Drew looked away, then back at Jasmine's face. “Her name was Nina, she was my fiance.”
The tears fell from her face, as she stared at him.
Drew tried to approach her.
“No!” Jasmine threw the pictures at him and balled up her fist. “Stay away from me! You're sick! That's what this is about? Some dead woman you can't let go of? And now you're trying to tell me she was my sister?”
“I didn't know at first. It wasn't until after I discovered Nina was a twin. That's when I had the DNA samples tested.”
Jasmine remembered the DNA test on his desk.
“How long have you known?”
“Drew stared at the floor again.”
“I asked you a question!”
“The week after we came back from the beach house. I never meant to hurt you.”
“Lies! You don't care about anyone but yourself.”
“That's not true. I love you.”
“Bullshit! You're in love with who I look like. Can you honestly tell me she has nothing to do with it.”
Drew didn't respond.
“That's what I thought.” Jasmine shook her head. “I'm not her and I won't live in her shadow. I don't give a damn who she is.”
She walked towards the door, but Drew put his hand up.
“Move!”
“No, I can't let you go. Not like this.”
“Move your damn hand Drew.”
“You promised me, you wouldn't leave me. I love...”
Jasmine slapped his face. “Love has nothing to do with this, remember.” With a hard shove, she pushed him out the way.
He watched as she ran upstairs and came back down. She didn't even look at him. He wanted to go after her, but his feet were glued to the floor. She hated him and he deserved that. Perhaps if he waited and gave her space, there might be a chance he wouldn't lose her forever. When she slammed the door, he flinched.
It took Jasmine only twenty minutes to reach her mother's.
“Mom!” She called to her several times, while storming through the house.
“What on earth is wrong with you? Why are you yelling like that?”
“I need to talk to you and I need you to tell me the truth.”
“What is this about?”
“Do you know a woman name Sharon Baxter?”
Jasmine saw the shock on her mother's face.
“Where did you hear that name?”
“So you do know her. Who is she and don't lie to me.”
Her mother turned away and walked towards the sink. She tried to find the words to explain. She knew this day would come eventually.
“I'm waiting mom.”
“She's.” Jasmine's mother fumbled with her fingers. “She's your mother, your real mother.”
“Why?” Jasmine sobbed.
“I, I wanted a baby so bad.”
Jasmine began to walk away.
“Please! Just listen to me,” her mother pleaded.
Jasmine paused, turning around she wiped the tears from her eyes. “What.”
“When she gave birth to you, the doctor he didn't feel a pulse. He said there was no heartbeat. While I was taking you from the room, your little foot, it moved.” Diane smiled as she reminisced. “I was able to feel a faint pulse on the side of it. I wanted to tell them... I started to.” She stared at Jasmine with tears in her eyes. “Then I looked down at your face. I had recently miscarried and lost my husband a month before. You were a miracle, my miracle from God.
Jasmine looked at her with disbelief.
“I called my sister, your aunt Teresa. She helped me sneak you out. She was the only one
who knew what I had done.” She looked at Jasmine, waiting for her to speak. “Say something!”
“You stole me from my mother and my father. I had a sister, an entire life I never got the chance to experience.”
“But I've been a good mother to you. Haven't I?”
“That's not the point! What you did..” Jasmine looked up to the ceiling. “I can't do this right now.” She started towards the door once again, only this time she didn't stop.
“Please, wait! Don't go!”
Jasmine heard her mother's cries, as her own tears rolled down her face. When she pulled off in her car, she didn't know where she was going. She couldn't go home and risk Drew being there. Her life was in turmoil. She was pregnant and everything about her was a lie. She drove for hours until finally checking into a hotel. Once inside she laid on the bed and cried herself to sleep.
The sound of the maid at the hotel's door awakened Jasmine. She scanned the room, and realized it hadn't been a dream. She looked down at her clothes, she'd slept in them. The knock came again. When Jasmine stepped out of bed, her legs wobbled.
The emotional damage from the day before had drained her physically. With careful strides, she made it to the door.
“Can you please come back? I'll be checking out soon.”
“No problem.”
Jasmine waited until she heard, the person on the other side walk away. Afterwards, she went into the bathroom to wash up. She thought about her next move, then called Tessa.
“Hey are you home?”
“Yeah.”
“I'm coming over.”
Thirty minutes later Jasmine arrived at Tessa's.
“I need to stay here for a couple of weeks.”
“Sure, but what's wrong with your place?”
“I can't go home right now.”
“Why?” Tessa frowned and gave Jasmine a worried look. “Did Drew do something to you?”
Jasmine looked at her.
“That son of a...”
“No, is not like that. It's far more complicated.”
Tessa opened her mouth to speak, but Jasmine held up her hand.
“I can't get into details, at least not yet.”
Tessa nodded her understanding.
“I have a list of things I need you to get for me, from my house.”
Tessa took the sheet of paper with the list, and instructions on where to find everything.
“Thanks,” Jasmine said as Tessa left.
It wasn't just Drew she was hiding from, it was her mother too. She wasn't ready to see either one of them.
∞
Drew didn't sleep well Saturday night. Making the situation worse, Jake informed him, that Jasmine never came home. He was more than worried about her. When his phone rung, he answered immediately.
“Yeah.”
“Mr. Watts, there's someone at Ms. Williams house. It's a woman, but not Ms. Williams. She just pulled into the garage.”
“Is she alone?
“Yes sir.”
“OK, let me know when she leaves.”
Drew figured it had to be one of Jasmine's friends. She must have stayed with them through the night.
Forty-five minutes later, Conrad called Drew back.
“She's leaving now sir. Do you want me to follow her?”
Drew thought about it for a second. “No, but call me if the woman or Ms. Williams returns.”
He laid back against the sofa. He almost told Conrad to follow Jasmine's friend. But that would only push her further away. For now, he had to deal with the consequences of his actions.
Chapter Twenty-Three
When the dust settles.
New York, New York
T wo weeks passed, and Drew had returned to New York. Not being able to talk to Jasmine and see her face, was eating him alive. He hadn't gotten a good night's sleep since the last time they were together. He thought about returning to Richmond that weekend, but he knew she would refuse him. He needed to find a way to make things right.
Drew picked up the half empty Heineken bottle and pushed back from the table. He walked over to the wall mounted aquarium, and watch the fish swim around. After taking another sip of his beer, he walked down the hall. He stood in front of the room with Nina's things. Ten years ago, he couldn't bring himself to part with them. Perhaps the time had come.
He opened the door and stepped inside. It was like going back in time. Drew hadn't entered the room, since he placed everything in it. He sat the empty bottle on one of the boxes and walked around. Nina had been such an important part of his life. The love they shared could never be replaced., but it was time to move on.
Drew glanced in one of the boxes. All Nina's academic plaques, books, and essay's she'd written were inside. He pulled one of the books out, and studied the cover. He recognized the title, it had been sitting on the desk the night she died. The pages were worn and some had been folded. As he flipped through the book, something fell out. Drew picked up the folded paper and read it.
Dear Drew,
I've been trying to figure out the best way and the right time to tell you, I'm pregnant. We've talked about this many times. You always say, you don't think you were meant to be a father, or that you wouldn't be good at fatherhood. I know different. I think you're a great and wonderful person. You show me love and compassion every day. You'll do the same with our child. Please don't be mad. We'll get through this, we always do.
Love always,
Nina.
Drew dropped to his knees. He never wanted to have children, fearing that he would be a horrible father. He didn't want to bring up his children the same way his father had raised him and his brothers, with strict rules and harsh punishments. Drew's father had controlled every aspect of their lives. Ironically, Drew had become him in many ways.
∞
Richmond, Virginia
“Hey, I'm glad I caught you before you left,” Avery said. “Can you ask Drew if he wants to play golf this weekend. I forgot to get his number.”
“Sure,” Jasmine said, masking her emotions well. She hadn't seen or talk to Drew in two weeks.
“By the way, what's with the scrubs? Did we put on an extra pound or two?”
“No, and you're not funny. I'm just trying something new.”
Jasmine had chosen to wear a uniform, for the last two weeks. It was easier, with her staying at Tessa's. She still hadn't told Tessa about her mother, Drew or the baby, and had asked Tessa not to tell anyone she was staying with her. To Jasmine's surprise, she kept her promise.
Jasmine waited for Avery to leave before grabbing her side. She had been experiencing mild abdominal cramps all day. She didn't think it was a big deal, and figured it could wait until her check up that following Monday. After the pain subsided, she finished gathering her things and headed out.
“Are you staying another week? I must admit, I'm enjoying your company. It reminds me of when we were in college,” Tessa Said.
“Yeah, you borrowed my things then too... I think I'll go home tomorrow though.”
“You still don't want to talk about it?”
“Not yet, but I will soon.”
“I'm sorry,” Tessa said.
“Why are you sorry?
“Because. You wouldn't have talked to Drew, if I hadn't made such a big deal about you being single.”
Jasmine smiled. “It's not your fault, trust me.”
The more she thought about the situation, Drew wasn't to blame either. Although he withheld information and brought a dark secret to light, Drew wasn't responsible for the deception caused by her mother. At some point she would have to see him again, and tell him about their child.
“So, what do you want to do tonight,” Tessa asked.
“I'm not sure, maybe... Ow!
“What's wrong?”
“It's just a cramp.” Jasmine clutched her side and walked over to the bathroom.
“Jaz are you OK in there?”
Seconds later Jasmine came ou
t. “I need you to take me to the hospital.”
“What's wrong?”
“I'm bleeding.”
Tessa didn't understand the situation.
“I'm pregnant.”
She stared at her.
Jasmine clutched her side again, this time leaning over. “Tessa, please!”
Snapping out of her trance, she ran over towards Jasmine and guided her to the car.
“How do you feel.”
“It hurts...bad.”
“Was it a lot of blood? Or spots?”
“A lot.”
“How far along are you?”
“Six weeks.”
“Have you told Drew?”
“No.” Jasmine scrunched her face up, as the cramping continued.
“Hang on Jaz, we're almost there.”
After breaking several laws on the way, Tessa pulled into the nearest hospital.
“Excuse me, my friend needs help! She's six weeks pregnant and having severe abdominal cramps, with bleeding.”
The nurse in the ER came from around the desk and grabbed a wheelchair from the back. “Here, let's sit her in one of these.”
After asking Jasmine a few questions, she started pushing her towards the back and Tessa tried to follow.
“Let us stabilize her, and then we'll call you back. Alright?”
She nodded with reluctance.
As they wheeled Jasmine away, Tessa began to worry about her. She could see the pain on her face. She didn't know what to do, or who to call. Jasmine had sworn her to secrecy. She thought about Drew, given the situation, he should be there. Tessa unlocked Jasmine's phone and searched for his number.
When Drew answered on the first ring, it didn't surprise her.
“Jasmine!”
“No, It's her friend Tessa. Jasmine is at the hospital.”
“What happen!”
“I'm not sure, but I think you should be here.” Tessa felt telling Drew about the baby, wasn't her place.
“What hospital is she at!”
“UMC.”
“I'm on my way.”
Two hours later, Drew arrived. He rushed over to Tessa.
“I'm sorry I took so long. I was in New York when you called.”
New Hearts Old Flame Page 20