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“Well, I think the reason I’m here is kind of obvious.” I rub my stomach and smile. “I’m carrying Trevor’s daughter and I wanted you to know that you’re going to be a grandfather.”
“I can see that. Are you okay? Is everything coming along well? I haven’t seen you in town like normal and I heard you dropped out of college. I was concerned something had happened to you, Girl.” His voice gave away how worried he had been while he talked. Mr. Griffin really did see me as his family.
“It’s been hard since my dad learned the truth. He’s keeping me locked in the house and hidden out of sight. I parked at the hospital and walked here today. I wanted you to know…,” my voice trails off as I get choked up.
“No need for tears. If you need anything I’ll take care of it. Do you want me to tell my son?” His question was asked with a growl. Clearly, he wasn’t too happy with Trevor either, especially considering the circumstances now.
“NO!” I practically shout before getting a hold of myself. “Sorry,” I clear my throat and lower my voice back to normal. “Please don’t tell him. He walked away and left me, left us. I know he has a right to know but I want to be the one to tell him if he ever shows his face again.”
“Okay, the secret of your daughter is safe with me.” He leans forward to pat my hand.
“I came because I need you to be near or at the hospital when it’s time. My father doesn’t want me to keep the baby. I can’t risk her going into the adoption system, I would never forgive myself. I want to raise my daughter and take care of her, but if I can’t then I want her blood relatives to have custody of her.” My plan was crazy and had a million holes in but I knew this was the only option. “I want to run away to be free from here but I’m worried my father will follow and I can’t ask you for help with it. We both know the vile things he would do if you helped me, I won't risk it.”
“First, you let me worry about your father. The only things you need to be worrying about are yourself and that child. Second, of course, I will do everything possible to get custody of my granddaughter for you. I’ll have my lawyer start to draw up the paperwork. I’ll just need you to sign it. When you have your next doctor’s appointment I want you to call that number Trevor left you. It’s my burner phone and I’ll make sure I’m there to arrange the paperwork with you.” Mr. Griffin’s voice left no room for argument. His eyes shone with determination to do everything possible for us.
“Thank you,” I whisper, tears brimming my eyes as I look at him. He will never understand how much I truly appreciate the things he is doing for me.
* * *
February ~ NineYears Ago
The contractions started in the middle of the night. I held out for as long as I could but when my water broke around four in the morning I knew my daughter was coming and I needed to get to the hospital immediately. After shooting off a quick text to Trevor’s dad, I rang the bell for assistance from our live-in housekeeper and she got me down and into her car as her husband, the cook notified my father. She sped through the empty roads and by the time we made it to the emergency entrance there were already nurses waiting with a wheelchair for my arrival.
I guess my father called ahead for me.
“Don’t worry Miss Delcoure we have a room set up and ready for you. The doctor will be here shortly. How far apart are your contractions?” the nice nurse asks as she helps me out of the car and into the wheelchair.
“Five minutes,” I manage to answer through gritted teeth as another contraction takes hold.
“Oh dear,” she sighs, rushing to get me seated and through the front doors. She leads me past several doors and into the back of the emergency room towards an elevator. “Let’s get you up to the labor and delivery floor. Your daughter is coming sooner rather than later.”
The door dings, opening to allow us entrance. She rushes inside and hits the button for the fifth floor. It felt like the longest elevator ride ever before the doors opened once more and she takes us down the hall and into a large delivery room. The nurse helps me out of the chair and into bed, quickly getting me hooked up to several monitors. By the time she’s done the doctor along with my father are walking into the room.
“I want her knocked out to give birth. I don’t care what you have to do,” my father is practically shouting. Of course, he would want that. It would make it easier for him to take my daughter without my permission. I wish he understood that wasn’t how delivery worked but my father always got his wishes.
“Sir, that isn’t how this process works,” the doctor tries to explain before seeing the look on my father's face. She gives a tight nod and then turns to look at me and smiles. “So, I hear you’re about to have a baby how are you feeling?”
“In pain,” I shout as another contraction takes me over.
“Everyone out that isn’t necessary,” the doctor commands. “That includes you Mr. Delcoure.”
Everyone does as she instructs. Within the next couple of minutes, I’m already being instructed to push without receiving any pain meds to make the process easier. Delivering Alexis was a pretty quick process compared to the stories I had heard and read. My daughter was eager to make her way into this world. The whole process though had exhausted me. The nurse let me hold her after they did their initial assessment. When they saw I was starting to fade they took Alexis and placed her into her crib before allowing my father back into the room to join me.
After a short nap, I awoke to voices talking in low murmurs. My father was talking to someone who was dressed to the nines and was holding a clipboard along with what looked like a stack of folders.
“What’s going on?” I question, trying to blink the sleep from my eyes.
“Shit,” my father mumbles softly but not soft enough that I don’t hear.
“Your father stated that you wanted to give your daughter up for adoption,” the female beside him explained. “I’m the adoption specialist for the hospital and was called in to help.”
“You’re wrong,” I practically shout, trying to push myself out of the bed to get to my daughter. I fail and end up collapsing back against the pillow, my strength not what it needs to be yet. “I would never willingly give up my daughter for adoption. Plus, there is already paperwork filled out should something ever happen to me and custody needs to be determined for Alexis. That paperwork does not say she will be placed for adoption, she has another caregiver.”
“Mr. Delcoure?” the adoption specialist turns to question him. “You said you had your daughter's permission. It sounds like would be wrong. If she has other arrangements made as well then this is not possible. She is an adult and that is her daughter. Only Miss Delcoure can make the decision of what happens to her daughter. If it wasn’t for who you are I would be calling the police on you.” She turns to look back toward me and gives me a sad smile. “I apologize for the confusion and the scare. I hope you enjoy this time with your daughter. It passes all too quickly. You take care.”
As she leaves the room my father turns to glare and give me a nasty look. I’m almost positive he wants to strangle me and would if we weren’t in the hospital.
“You’re making a big mistake, Emma. I will see that you pay for this. Keep your daughter but no one is to ever know who she is to you.” My father spits in disgust at me and then leaves the room. Leaving me and Alexis alone.
