“You might be right, Silvia, but on to another subject. Franky, you look so familiar. Do I know you?”
Roslyn looks at Blair and then at Franky, whose face is now glowing red.
“No, ma’am. I get that a lot, but I don’t think we have met, unless you worked at my last job, where I disposed of old computers.” His voice is cold and commanding.
She looks at him and picks up her drink, as a little hush falls around the table. It’s like all the conversation has ended. Jax gets up to go to the bar to order more drinks, and enlists Franky to help him carry them back.
Then Roslyn goes in on Blair.
“Look, lady,” she snaps. “It’s obvious you want my friend’s man, but she’s with him, so back the fuck off.”
“Clearly I’ve been around longer, and will be around when she’s gone, so have fun, Silvia.”
“I’m going to have a great time, and not because you say so.”
We all stop talking when Franky and Jax return. Roslyn and Franky go to the dance floor and Blair goes to the ladies’ room. I can’t believe Jax thought I would want to meet this stuck-up bitch. Besides, she wants him like a dog wants a bone.
The night continues more smoothly, with lots of dancing and drinking. When Blair asks Jax to dance, I look at him with death in my eyes. He declines, and she gets upset and leaves. Roslyn and I both smile at how thrilled we are she’s gone.
Jax and I hit the dance floor a few more times. I’m drinking and getting more courage with every sip.
Soon Roslyn and Franky leave and Jax and I are left alone, which is nice. We are done dancing, and decide to people-watch some before leaving the club.
The instant the fresh air hits me, so do all those drinks – like a ton of bricks. Jax picks me up and carries me to the car, where Randal is standing, talking on his cell.
I’m not sure what-all happens then, because things fade to black. The only thing I do remember is Jax telling me he loves me.
***
The next morning, I wake with a huge headache. I poke my nose out from the covers and realize I’m at Jax’s place. He’s placed a glass of juice on the end table. It must be for me. I drink it down and close my eyes, willing the pain to leave.
Jaxson comes into the room with a tray of food, and more juice.
“Oh, baby, I don’t think I can eat,” I moan. Making too much noise makes my head worse.
“Yeah, food will do you good, and I want to say I’m glad you met Blair and danced with me.”
“Blair and I may never be best friends.”
“That’s fine.”
He leans over and gives me a kiss, then gets back in bed with me. He turns on the television, and with a piece of toast in my hand I drift back to sleep.
CHAPTER 11
THREE WEEKS LATER
JAXSON
Silvia and I are stronger than ever. She’s forgiven me about dropping Blair on her like that, but we’ve been getting along great. She has clothes at my home and I at hers. It’s the first step to moving in with one another.
It’s Thursday, and I’m on my way to pick Silvia up to take her to meet my Nana. We are both taking Friday off. I’ve tried to warn Silvia about my Nana without scaring her too much, but I’m not sure how successful that’s been – it may not even be possible.
I grab my bag and walk to Randal, who is waiting by the car as usual. I offered to drive myself and give him some time off, but he got offended.
He takes my bag and we get in the car and set out to pick up Silvia. As I step out of the car to go up for her, she’s coming down with a stylish suitcase.
“Did you pack enough, beautiful?” I ask, laughing.
“Jax, it’s your family. What if she hates me? I’m so nervous.”
Once I get her in the car and we are on the way to my Nana’s home, I try again to reassure her.
“Silvy, she won’t hate you unless you say you can’t have kids. That could be a problem.” I laugh.
“Jax, be serious! What do I say?”
She thinks I’m kidding, but my Nana is not playing. She wants little babies and she wants them yesterday!
“Be yourself and everything will be fine.”
“I’m trusting you, but I remember your friend, who wants you in all ways.”
“Look, I spoke to Blair about that. I told her I’m with you, and she’d better get used to it or get out of my life.”
“Did you say it like that?”
She relaxes, and I do some work while she sleeps. I’m so happy to have her meeting Nana.. I’ve told Nana we are coming and she’s excited about it. She’s more than likely going to ask Silvia about kids more than once.
Watching Silvia sleeping, I can’t imagine having a family with anyone else.
When we arrive at the house, she wakes and stretches. She looks graceful, like a great cat draped over the back seat.
“I need to brush my hair, Jax,” she pleads. I look at the house and back at her.
“She’s going to start throwing cans if we sit here keeping her waiting for you to look even prettier.”
Randal opens the door and I step out, and so does Silvia, still trying to pat her hair down. Nana is not at the door waiting, but I’m sure she saw us pull up on the monitor.
Randal hands me the bags with a big smile. He knows how she can get sometimes, and does not want to be part of her interrogation.
As soon as I open the door she’s yelling for me.
“Jax, come here and bring that pretty girl with you. Hurry up! My show is on the commercials.”
Silvia looks at me, and I take her hand and walk into the living room. Nana has the television on very loud. There are cheese and crackers on the table next to her, and a cup of juice.
“She turns and looks at Silvia and smiles, struggling to get out of her chair. I help her, even though she tries to swat my hand away.
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Montgomery.”
“Oh, child, you are the one! Jax, she’s the one! Look at those hips! There’s room for plenty of babies in that womb. Come on over here with me, do you watch the soaps?”
Silvia follows her and sits in the recliner next to hers.
“No, ma’am. I can’t say that I do, but I hear about them.”
“Good,” says Nana, with a big grin, “because I live through the soaps now. They have plenty of sex and I’m not getting any, but back in the day my husband and I screwed like animals.”
“Oh my, that’s nice.”
“Damn right, now is my Jax taking care of your sexual needs?”
“Hey, Nana, please, let’s not discuss my sex life,” I say, casting about for a way to distract her and curb the embarrassing questions.
“This is my house. I say what I want, Jax. Now don’t bother us. Make this pretty lady a glass of something. You thirsty?”
“Yes ma’am, something to drink sounds good,” Silvia replies.
We talk and laugh with my Nana, who has me get out the picture album. As we are turning the pages and she’s giving a play by play of what’s going on in the picture, I’m hoping Silvia is enjoying herself.
I walk into the back room and set our bags down. I make a few calls and have a cook on her way over, along with a maid to clean some. After I get Silvia some apple juice, I come back in just in time to hear my Nana telling Silvia about Sam!
“Sam was such a beautiful girl. I know she’s with my husband, but it’s such a damn shame she took her own life.”
“Nana, we don’t want to upset Silvia with things we can’t change,” I say, hoping to get her off the subject.
“Sit down, Jax, and if you interrupt me one more time, I’m going to get my broom.”
“Yes, but I thought Silvia might be hungry. Silvia, can you come to the kitchen with me?”
She nods and we walk into the kitchen. I sit at the kitchen table, feeling like someone has knocked the wind out of me.
“Jax, are you okay? You don’t look well at all.”
“I’m fine
. I’m sorry she’s upset you with our family tragedy.” I get the words out, and close my eyes as my heart rate slows down. Only when my Nana talks about Sam do I feel like I’m going to have a heart attack.
“Jax, why didn’t you tell me your sister committed suicide? I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Because it was years ago, and that’s not a conversation piece. Let me make you a sandwich. Seriously, it’ll be at least thirty minutes before the cook arrives, and then she still needs time to cook.”
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of, Jax, and if you ever want to talk about her, I’m here. Your Nana says she was a wonderful person, filled with so much life.”
I would like to talk about Samantha with Silvia, but that would mean talking about her brother as well.
I smile and take out lunch meat, bread, cheese and mayo. As I make sandwiches, I notice Silvia sit down holding her forehead.
“Baby, do you need some water? I know it can be warm in here. She likes the heat pretty high.”
“No, I think… I’m dizzy.”
Quickly I rush to her. “Dizzy – do you need to lie down?”
“No. I’m hungry. I may need food, that’s all.”
“Fine, but after you eat you will take a nap.”
“I slept most of the way here, Jax. I need food, that’s all.”
I go on with the sandwiches, but I hear a thump. When I look over my shoulder, Silvia is on the floor.
CHAPTER 12
THE NEWS
SILVIA
I’m not sure what happened, but I’m in the hospital, with Jax at the side of my bed and a doctor standing over me.
“What happened?” I ask.
Jax leans over and kisses me. I ask again what happened and he gives me a kiss. I hope they haven’t found some fatal illness.
“You’ll be fine, just not enough food or vitamins.” He smiles.
“Why are you smiling?” I look at the doctor, who shakes Jax’s hand and walks out. “Why did the doctor leave without telling me what happened?”
“Because I asked him to let me tell you. After all, it’s about us both.”
“Jaxson, did you give me a disease? I’m going to kill you.”
“No, Silvia,” he laughs. “I gave you my seed, and now you’re giving us both something.”
I frown at him, wondering why he seems to think this is funny. I passed out, I’m sure, and no one has told me why. I go to stretch and there’s an IV in my arm. There must be something wrong.
“Jax, please tell me. I’m starting to get worried.”
“Well, you and I are going to have a baby. You’re pregnant with my child.” He looks as if he’s bursting with pride. I’m not sure if he’s about to break out in song.
“Are they sure? I’ve been taking my pills.”
“On time?”
Then I remember I missed a few times, but I caught right up. My hand goes to my belly and I rub it, realizing I’m having a baby.
“Jax how do you feel? I’m sorry this happened. I wasn’t trying to trap you.” I feel emotional, and the tears start rolling down my face.
“I know you didn’t try to trap me, Silvy. You are one of the kindest, most honest, caring and loving people I know, and I’m honored that you will be the mother of my child.”
His words are so beautiful that I start crying in earnest. I never planned on getting pregnant before marriage, and now here I am a single mom. I’m going to be known as the mother of a bastard. This makes me cry even more.
Jax leans down, hugs me and kisses my tears away.
“I need to call Roslyn. She’s like my sister.” He nods and hands me my cell.
When I tell Roslyn, she starts screaming. She asks when I will be back in the city. Soon, a lady comes in pushing a cart, and takes an ultrasound.
“That’s the little one, right there,” the tech says.
Jaxson is clutching my hand. I wriggle; he’s going to cut off the circulation.
“Do you know how far along I am?”
“It looks to be about five weeks,” the tech answers.
I try to wrap my head around being pregnant, but I think I’m still in shock.
After a few hours the hospital discharges me, and we go back to Nana’s house. When we enter the house, she’s smiling and holding up a pair of knitting needles and yarn.
“I’m going to start making things for my great grandchild.”
Jax is walking closely beside me.
“Jax, you can’t be this close when I’m walking. I’m going to trip and fall.”
“I would catch you,” he smiles. “I’ll always catch you. Now, the doctor said you need to eat, and the cook is in there making all sorts of dishes.”
Nana comes and sits down next to me, smiling as if her face is going to break in half. I guess I passed my interview with her, anyway!
“I guessed my Jax was putting it down, I knew he had it in him.”
I burst into laughter, and she beams fondly at me. I shake my head and let it all sink in. I’m pregnant.
***
I’m glad to be home. Jaxson and his Nana babied me the entire time I was there, but now that I’m home I can take it all in. I’m having a baby, and I haven’t even told my family about this. Jaxson has told everyone. I was sitting there when he called Randal and told him, and some other people I didn’t know, but I paid close attention when he broke the news to Blair. He said she’s happy for us, but I beg to differ.
I walk into the kitchen, and am about to pour myself some wine when I remember that’s not good for the baby. I grab an apple instead, and wait for my over-protective boyfriend to come back. He said he needed to get his laptop and some more clothes.
I fall asleep hoping Jax will be here soon, and it only seems like five minutes later when he comes in, laden with flowers, a big fruit basket, and some steaks.
“Jax, is there anything else with the steaks?” I ask, while he’s setting up the food.
“Yeah. Steamed carrots.”
That sounds good to me. We eat and talk about our future, and the baby. I’m glad Jax doesn’t feel the need to get married because I’m pregnant. That would not be romantic at all.
CHAPTER 13
REVENGE
SILVIA
It’s been a week, and Jax has finally gotten used to the fact I will need to do some things without him. I know he feels he must protect me, but there’s nothing to protect me from.
It’s early in the day, and I decide to do some shopping. I haven’t been shopping in a long time, but it helps to relax me, so retail therapy, here I come!
I’m on the cell with Jax as I walk down to the café for some lunch. Simi is parked further down the street while I walk from one place to another.
When I enter the café I take a seat and look over the menu. Jax and I plan to spend the night together, as he says he has something important to tell me.
Even though I’m nervous about what he’s going to say, I know that it won’t change how I feel about him.
I take my time eating, wishing my mother was here to enjoy this moment with me. I haven’t told Nox, but I will soon. As I’m leaving, I notice a van parked outside the café. I look at it and wish I’d had Simi park closer, but he’s only a block away; it will be fine.
As I pass the van, a man jumps out of it and grabs me. I struggle, but he pulls me inside the van. I scream for my life, for my baby’s life. But he covers my mouth with a cloth. I smell a sweet, sickly smell, and I feel my eyes getting heavy and everything fades away.
***
I wake up lying on a narrow bed. The room is dark, but a faint light filters in from a tiny, filthy window high up on one wall. The air smells dank and unventilated, and the walls are rough – big blocks of stone without any covering. Traffic sounds drift down from above… above my head. I’m in a basement. I look around for an escape, but it’s so dark, and I only see the tiny window, which would hardly let a cat through. I can’t even tell how long I’ve been here.
The door opens onto a staircase leading up, and a big, pale man enters. He has really short, pale blond hair, very thin lips and light blue eyes. There’s a weird impression of colorlessness about him, which I find oddly familiar. Then it strikes me – he looks like Blair.
“You need to be quiet. The mistress would like to speak with you, but all this screaming it has to end or I will put you out again, you hear me?” His accent is so thick I can hardly understand him, but the menace is clear. There’s something worse, though. In the new light from the stairwell, I see the corner where I am lying is surrounded by heavy iron bars between floor and ceiling, like a jail cell.
I nod yes, wishing I had some way of contacting Jax.
Then I see her coming down the stairs, all dressed in white like an angel. She comes and sits on a chair just outside the cage. I stand, and walk over to grip the bars.
“Hi, Silvy, it’s time we talked. I mean, you deserve to know about your perfect Jaxson.”
“I have nothing to say to you, Blair.”
To be continued …
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