Pieces of Me

by LaShawn Vasser

  “I told her about it. I just left out the parts about Anne. I knew she was sensitive about Anne and I didn’t want to argue with her about it.”

  “So, she was blindsided by you spending the night with Anne when it ‘just came up’? I don’t condone violence but I would have slapped her silly….and you too.”

  “Anne didn’t try to make Nicole think anything happened between us. Nicole is just misunderstanding the situation.”

  “Davis you are a brilliant man but you can’t really be this dense. Misunderstanding? Are you forgetting you told her your deepest secrets on that island? If I remember correctly, you told her that Anne was ‘the woman of your dreams’. You were in the process of reconciling with her until you found out Nicole was pregnant and every time Anne calls, you go running to make sure she’s ok. Isn’t that why you hired the extra security? That’s their job. Davis, can I ask you something?”

  “When have you ever asked to ask me anything?”

  “Ok…How do you feel about Nicole? I mean really? Because I knew the moment I met her that she was in love with you.”

  “What kind of question is that? I married her.”

  “Because she was pregnant Davis. Not because you declared some undying love for her. Do you still love Anne?”

  Davis swallowed hard. That was a question he didn’t really want to analyze because he wasn’t sure what the answer would be.

  “That’s why she left Davis because she loves you. She’s trying to bow out as gracefully as she can. Look, I told you before I just want you to be happy. If Anne’s the one in your heart then choose Anne. If its Nicole then choose Nicole but you’ve got to make a choice.”

  Jane hugged him “Remember, I love you no matter what.”

  “No matter what.”

  “Now, I only have a few hours before I’ve got to get home to my husband and the twins. You look a mess so go take a shower and take me to dinner.”

  Chapter 22

  Nicole had been in her new place for a couple of weeks. She hadn’t done much too it yet. Probably, because there was a part of her that wished Davis would realize how much he loved her and come to take her home. Even though she knew that wasn’t the case she still hoped. Of course, he’d called a few times and Nicole didn’t answer because she couldn’t allow him to talk her into going back.

  Just like now. Her phone was ringing but it was Dana.

  “Hey you, I was just calling to see how you are doing. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m feeling pregnant and nothing fits anymore. But, otherwise I’m fine. How are things going with school? Did you hire that candidate for the teaching position?”

  “I’ve never been pregnant but they tell me this is all a part of it. And yes, the interview went well. She’s starting next week. I miss having you here though.”

  “If Calgone could really take me away I would be down there with you in Fiji.”

  “Well, you know the doors are always open for you to come back.”

  Nicole felt her baby move. It was a feeling that gave her strength to keep putting one foot in front of the other “I can’t keep running away. I’ve got to set down some roots. I’m almost five months pregnant.”

  “Have you talked to Davis?”

  “No, I haven’t. It’s probably better this way. Out of site out of mind right?”

  “As a therapist, I would say no. You can’t hide from him forever Nicole.”

  “I’m not hiding. I’m just licking my wounds. I think I deserve some time to do that. A lot has happened in the last year. I’ve had a broken engagement, I’ve barely survived a plane crash and was stranded on a deserted island, I’ve been married, I’m having a baby, and I’ve gotten separated from my husband. Yep, I think I deserve some time.”

  “Well, I guess when you put it that way, you’ve definitely had a rough year.”

  “I can’t continue to make decisions that aren’t good for me. I have more than myself to think about now.”

  “Nicole, you didn’t have control over everything that has happened.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. But, I’m physically and emotionally exhausted. I just want to be able to wake up in the morning and feel some sense of peace.”

  “Well, the door is always open for you to come back and help me in the jungle.”

  “Thank you. If Davis decides he’s really going sue me for full custody I might just come and hide out in the jungle.”

  “You know he won’t do that. He was just angry. Nicole, I’ve got to take another call but don’t give up hope just yet.”

  “I’m not so sure he was just angry but you take care and I’ll talk to you in a few days.”

  Nicole disconnected her cell. It was late, she was tired, and she had an early morning doctor’s appointment.

  *****

  Nicole was sitting in the waiting room waiting to see the doctor for her monthly check up. She was flipping through a magazine when Davis cleared his throat.

  “Do you mind if sit here?”

  She didn’t hear him come inside the office. Nicole didn’t trust her voice so without looking up she just nodded.

  Davis was nervous. He hadn’t seen her in almost six weeks. He couldn’t stop looking at her “How have you been feeling?”

  Nicole still wouldn’t look at him. She spoke softly “The baby is moving around a lot now.”

  Davis sat and waited with her. He didn’t know what to say to her. So, he just quietly absorbed her presence. After a few minutes, the nurse came to the door “Mrs. Chatham? We’re ready for you now.”

  Davis stood up first and tried to help Nicole up. She was having a difficult time getting out of her chair. Davis smiled knowing his child was growing inside of her. She was a little more round since the last time he’d seen her but still as beautiful as ever. They walked into one of the patient care rooms. The nurse took her pressure, weighed her, and gave her a gown to change into.

  “Davis, can you wait outside while I change?”

  “Nicole, I’ve seen you naked before.”

  “Davis please.” He didn’t want to upset her so he walked outside the door so she could change. It almost felt like that time on the island when she wanted him to turn around so she could get in the water. He never thought there would be a time where he would want to be transported back to the island. A few moments later he knocked on the door to see if she was done. Nicole gave him the all clear sign. Davis came back inside and took a seat next to her while she sat on the table. Shortly after that the doctor came inside.

  “Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Chatham. How are you feeling Nicole?”

  “Hi Dr. Cooke, I’m feeling a lot heavier and a little more tired than usual. Is that normal, to feel so tired at this stage?”

  “It’s pretty normal. Are you taking your prenatal vitamins?”

  “Yes, faithfully.”

  “Good. It’s pretty normal for you to be feeling this way at this stage of your pregnancy.” He looked at her chart. “Your vitals look good. Are you ready to find out the sex of the baby?”

  Nicole was surprised “That’s today?”

  “Yes it is.”

  Davis wanted to know but he would wait if Nicole wanted to wait. She looked over at Davis “I’d like to know but if you want to wait we can wait.”

  That was the first time she’d actually looked at him. She still took his breath away. Davis answered for them “Yes, we’d like to know.”

  Dr. Cooke put the jelly on Nicole’s stomach and then started rubbing it with some instrument. All of a sudden this little figure appeared on a screen. “There’s your baby.”

  Davis asked in wonder “That’s him?”

  “Actually, that is….her. You guys are having a girl. These are her toes and fingers. Wait, it looks like she’s sucking her thumb.”

  Nicole was so overcome with emotion. That was her baby on the screen. She couldn’t take her eyes off of her. She wiped the tears away that had managed to leak out. The little person on the screen wa
s the only other person in the world that shared her DNA.

  Dr. Cooke finished up and wiped the jelly off of her stomach. “Congratulations you two on your new baby girl. Would you like a picture?”

  They were so excited and both said yes at the same time.

  “I’ll make sure they leave them for you at the front desk. Now, don’t forget to schedule next month’s appointment and I’ll see you both then.” He shook hands with both Davis and Nicole before leaving.

  Davis was so amazed. He wanted to touch her “We’re having a girl. Do you think I could touch her? I mean, I know you said she’s been moving around a lot but I haven’t…felt her move.”

  Nicole hesitated before she reached out for his hand and gently placed it on her belly. Within moments, their baby moved. Davis couldn’t breathe. It was such a miracle. Nicole felt somewhat guilty that he hadn’t had much of a chance to share in some of the best moments of her pregnancy. So, she allowed his hands to roam her stomach as she watched his eyes look on in wonder. After a little while, Nicole needed just a little space “Davis, we should probably get going. I need to change. Do you mind?”

  Davis didn’t want to let her go but knew he was being unreasonable “No, I don’t mind. I’ll just wait for you in the waiting room.” Davis left out feeling surreal. He knew Nicole was pregnant but it truly became real at this appointment.

  Nicole quickly dressed and met him in the waiting room. They left Dr. Cooke’s office in awkward silence. There was so much to say but they didn’t know where to start.

  “Are you hungry? Maybe we can stop and grab some lunch?” He was hopeful.

  “I’m sorry I can’t.”

  He was somewhat disappointed but still hopeful “Okay, maybe I can pick you up and we can do dinner?”

  “That’s probably not a good idea either.”

  “Nicole, I’d like to spend some time with you and talk.”

  “Davis, I’m sure we need to talk but today when we’re both so emotionally charged is probably not a good time.”

  “Will you let me at least drive you back to your place?” Davis just wanted to be around her for just a little bit longer.

  Nicole knew it probably wasn’t the best decision but allowed him to take her home.

  “My car is not far.” They walked the short distance and he helped her inside. Davis couldn’t take his eyes from her middle. He hurried to the other side and got in the car.

  “You sure you’re not hungry? We don’t have to eat in I can just pick something up.”

  She smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. Pregnancy looked good on her. She was as beautiful as ever but looked tired. “I’m good Davis but thank you for asking.”

  “Nicole, I’d give you anything. I hope you know that all you have to do is ask.”

  Davis tried to take the longest route possible to her place. He wanted to prolong being around her but he didn’t want to push.

  Nicole laughed to herself “I should have taken one of the cars? Leaving in such a dramatic fashion wasn’t very practical.”

  That was just the opening Davis needed. He made a quick uturn. “Your wish is my command.”

  “What are you doing? Where are you going?”

  “I’m taking you to the house to get a car. I have several and I can only drive one at a time. It’ll make it easier for my security detail to watch you. Truth be told they hate walking all over the place to trail you.”

  Nicole was nervous. The last thing she needed was to go back to the home she shared with him “Davis you don’t have to do this. I was just thinking out loud. I’ve been so tired lately that it’s really the only exercise I get. As you can see I really could use the exercise.”

  Davis turned those piercing green eyes on her “Actually, you’ve never looked more beautiful.”

  Chapter 23

  Davis always made Nicole melt. This time was no different. But, she didn’t respond to what he’d said and turned to look out the window. They drove in silence for a little while. Davis kept sneaking peeks at her. The closer they got to his home the more anxious Nicole got. She whispered “Why are you doing this? Can’t you see how hard this is for me?” Her vision started to get cloudy.

  He pulled up into their driveway and parked. Davis had to touch her. He caressed her cheek “It’s hard for me too.” He wanted to kiss her so badly. He leaned into her and just as he was about to capture her lips with his, his cell phone rang.

  That was just enough time for Nicole to come to her senses and turn away. Davis wanted to kill whoever it was for their bad timing. He looked down at his phone to see who it was “I’ve got to take this.”

  “Davis speaking. Are you sure? I’m going into the house right now and I’ll let you know when I have it.” His whole demeanor changed.

  Nicole was concerned “Is everything okay?”

  “They think they have a lead on who’s been stealing secrets from Chatham and where the threats are coming from.”

  Nicole followed him inside the house and into Davis’s office. He powered up his laptop. Then, he called his FBI contact back. “Harlan, you’re on speaker. My wife is here with me. I’ve got the e-mail and I’m opening it now.”

  “Davis we don’t think your plane crash wasn’t an accident. It seems to have been planned.”

  “How is that possible? I wasn’t even supposed to be on that flight. I’d just gotten the independent audit that morning and made the decision to fly out the same day.”

  “We caught a break with Homeland Security. A mechanic was caught on a hidden camera doing something to the engines on your plane. What was strange about it was your plane had just been inspected that morning. There was no need for anyone to be doing anything to it.”

  Nicole’s eyes were wide as saucers. Davis got up from his chair and walked over to her. He held her hand and squeezed it trying to reassure her that she was safe.

  “We’ve just been pulling on that string. We found the mechanic who led us to someone named Jarrett. Jarrett was the person who paid him to sabotage your plane. It took a while to figure out if Jarrett was a real person or just an alias. Once we found out he was real, we had to locate him. That took some time too. He has no idea we’re on to him but he has ties to an obscure sect fighting for the Liberation of Shebet.”

  “I’ve heard of them. They are ruthless warlords who kill innocent children in the name of peace. They are also on the terrorist watch list. Any company caught doing business with them could be tried under the Patriot Act. I’ve never authorized any business with them or any groups even loosely affiliated with them.”

  “Well, we were able to trace an e-mail from that region to Chatham Industries. The IP address belongs to a computer in your office.”

  “After the plane crashed someone sent a one word e-mail. That’s the second attachment. It simply states ‘Done.’”

  “Harlan, are you trying to tell me not only is it someone in my inner circle but someone who has access to my computers? That list is very small.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying. We need you to send us the names of everyone who has access to your username and passwords.”

  “I’ll send that right away. Harlan, we’ve got to tread lightly on this because I want all the bastards involved in this scheme taken down.”